Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug tests in Diamond Ridge, Alaska. For those needing a hair drug or alcohol screen, we have expertise in hair testing and provide centers across all U.S. cities capable of performing such tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head—although body hair can be used—is necessary. Tests can assess drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specialized hair testing options.
Hair follicle drug testing has become more prevalent in recent years. Employers, courts, and substance abuse experts increasingly require hair tests over standard urine screens. Such tests are favored by organizations with strict no-drug policies, legal systems, and probationers. The key advantage is the extended detection timeframe for drugs, usually up to 90 days, collected through an observed procedure, making it highly difficult to manipulate. However, for drug detection within the past 5 days, urine tests remain the most precise.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
Hair testing has emerged as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug exposure by incorporating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It is advised to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. Reference to head hair specifically implies scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial processing phase of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step entails verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be accepted in legal settings. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), leading to hair drug screening being the most complex method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned prior to confirmation as deemed necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Diamond Ridge, AK
Hair testing stands out over traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests focus on recent drug use, hair tests provide a broader detection window, ensuring a more comprehensive assessment of an individual’s drug history, which is crucial for maintaining strict no-tolerance policies.
Extended Detection Window in Diamond Ridge, AK
Hair follicle testing extends the detection period of drug use up to 90 days. This longer window offers employers a vast landscape of information about an applicant or employee's substance history, ensuring they make informed decisions regarding their team’s safety and integrity.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Diamond Ridge, AK
One of the strongest facets of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. The process greatly lessens the likelihood of sample adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and indisputable, giving employers peace of mind in their hiring and monitoring processes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Diamond Ridge, AK
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation ensures accessibility to services is both quick and hassle-free. Whether in Diamond Ridge or elsewhere, these centers make scheduling a test convenient and straightforward, meeting the needs of a geographically diverse population.
Simple, Confidential Process in Diamond Ridge, AK
From ordering to completion and reception of results, our process is designed to secure privacy and simplicity. Clients can trust that their confidentiality is safeguarded, and the streamlined procedures address both privacy concerns and ease of use, crucial for user comfort and compliance.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Diamond Ridge, AK
Our pricing strategies are competitively structured to offer companies of varied sizes outstanding value, coupled with quick result turnaround times. This ensures that businesses are not only investing wisely but are assured of prompt and reliable information essential for effective decision making.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Diamond Ridge, AK
Hair follicle drug tests shine in terms of precision and swiftness. Their high accuracy makes them an effective tool in identifying substance use. These tests provide results that are not only quick, but also trustworthy, enhancing the confidence of employers and other stakeholders in the information provided.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Diamond Ridge, AK
Hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal risks and enhancing safety. For employers, utilizing these tests helps ensure a secure and health-conscious environment, vital for maintaining both workforce productivity and morale.