Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Portage Creek, AK

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

2 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Portage Creek

Minutes Away, Test Today

211 School Road26.41 miles

211 School Road
Naknek, AK 99633

6000 Kanakanak Rd31.78 miles

6000 Kanakanak Rd
Dillingham, AK 99576

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug analyses in Portage Creek, Alaska. Should you require a drug or alcohol hair test, Accredited Drug Testing is an expert in hair assessments, offering testing facilities across all U.S. cities capable of conducting such tests. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body is needed. Hair tests can be tailored to detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specific substances.

Over recent years, hair follicle drug testing has become a popular method. Numerous employers, legal entities, and substance misuse professionals prefer hair testing over standard urine analysis. Hair testing is ideal for zero-tolerance work environments, judicial contexts, and probation monitoring. Its primary advantage is a far-reaching detection duration, typically up to 90 days, with observation during the collection process, making it nearly unforgeable. For drug use in the past 5 days, a urine test remains most precise.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a valuable method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair stores a chronological record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair strands as they grow. When collected proximal to the scalp, hair offers roughly a 3-month window for drug and alcohol detection. Hair is easy to collect, resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample, approximately 200 hairs (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional markers, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug testing encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use in many samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Presumptive positive samples identified in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

For samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for further Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging methodology.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is accomplished using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use over 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
  • High anti-cheat factor: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to compromise, enhancing result reliability.
  • Tracks historical usage: Provides insights into drug consumption patterns over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

  • Inability to detect recent use: Drugs are identifiable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
  • Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
  • Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly used; however, the test examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Portage Creek, AK

Hair follicle drug tests surpass urine tests by offering an extended detection window, typically up to 90 days. This advantage ensures a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history, unlike the more limited timeframe of urine analyses.

Additionally, hair testing is less prone to tampering, as it involves an observed collection process, reducing the likelihood of adulterated samples and providing more reliable outcomes for organizations seeking factual results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Portage Creek, AK

A key advantage of hair follicle drug testing is its long detection period, often up to 90 days, allowing employers to glean a detailed view of an individual's drug use over time. This extended window provides a unique opportunity to assess behavior patterns that shorter-term methods, like urine testing, cannot offer.

Ultimately, this comprehensive insight helps employers make informed decisions regarding hiring and continued employment, promoting a safer work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Portage Creek, AK

Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant approach, significantly minimizing sample manipulation risks. The testing method's integrity lies in its observed collection process, reducing adulteration chances and ensuring solid, unquestionable results.

This reliability affords employers peace of mind when evaluating potential hires or maintaining a drug-free workplace, emphasizing the credibility and accuracy of this esteemed testing method.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Portage Creek, AK

With a network of testing centers across the nation, obtaining hair follicle drug testing services is quick and effortless, even in Portage Creek, AK. This vast availability ensures that organizations and individuals alike can access necessary testing without the hassle.

Such convenience streamlines the process for evaluating substance use, saving time and effort for those involved, and offering seamless testing wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Portage Creek, AK

The hair follicle testing process in Portage Creek is straightforward and discreet, designed to address privacy concerns confidently. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving the results is a hassle-free experience, ensuring confidentiality and ease of use throughout.

Individuals and employers can expect a smooth journey, bolstering trust in the procedure while safeguarding sensitive information, establishing a stress-free testing environment.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Portage Creek, AK

Competitive pricing and rapid result delivery make hair follicle testing an attractive option for businesses of all sizes in Portage Creek. This balance between cost efficiency and quick outcomes ensures optimal value, aiding organizations in making prudent, swift decisions regarding personnel.

The affordability, coupled with reliability, provides employers with peace of mind and a compelling rationale to choose this effective testing method.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Portage Creek, AK

Hair follicle testing offers unparalleled speed and accuracy in detecting substance use, with results delivered quickly without compromising precision. This method is renowned for its ability to provide high-confidence outcomes, ensuring that individuals and organizations receive the most trustworthy data possible.

Employers in Portage Creek can count on this testing approach to efficiently evaluate potential risks and uphold workplace safety standards, thus supporting informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Portage Creek, AK

Hair follicle testing aids in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks, and enhancing safety measures. Employers gain peace of mind knowing that this method offers reliable insight into employee drug use history, ensuring regulatory adherence.

By integrating this testing service, organizations can uphold safety standards confidently, fostering a productive and secure working environment.

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.


Portage Creek Drug Testing

Quickly find trusted local drug testing centers in Portage Creek, AK — fast, convenient, and reliable every time!

Portage Creek DOT Drug Testing

Quickly find a local DOT drug testing center in Portage Creek, AK — fast, reliable, convenient nationwide service!

Portage Creek DNA Testing

DNA testing for legal and non-legal purposes including child support, and child custody around Portage Creek, AK.

Portage Creek Industry Training

Including specimen collector training, DER training, reasonable suspicion training and much more in Portage Creek, AK.v

Portage Creek Hair Drug Testing

Get fast, accurate hair drug testing at our convenient Portage Creek, AK locations—results you can trust, every time!

Portage Creek Alcohol Testing

Fast, reliable alcohol testing to keep your workplace safe and compliant every single day in Portage Creek, AK.

Portage Creek Drug Testing Services

Reliable nationwide drug testing services ensuring accuracy, compliance, and quick results for businesses and individuals in Portage Creek, AK.

Portage Creek 5 Panel Drug Test

Accurate 5 panel drug testing with fast, confidential results—trusted by Portage Creek, AK employers and individuals nationwide.

Portage Creek 10 Panel Drug Test

Comprehensive 10 panel drug testing with fast, reliable results—trusted for Portage Creek, AK workplace and personal testing needs.

Portage Creek On Site Drug Testing

Convenient on-site mobile drug testing with fast, reliable results—saving time while keeping your Portage Creek, AK workplace compliant.

Portage Creek DOT Physicals

Certified DOT physicals with quick, reliable exams to keep Portage Creek, AK drivers compliant and on the road with confidence.

DOT Consortium

Join our DOT consortium for hassle-free compliance, random testing management, and reliable driver safety solutions.


Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

Customer Reviews

Hassle Free Experience

It was easy to make the arrangements to get to someone in regards to renewing my DOT medical certificate. They took care of everything over the phone which made my experience hassle free. I will definitely be using them again and you should too.

Jim Raymond - 10/18/2024

Super Helpful

Detricia was super helpful in making sure that the drug test is sent my worker for was the right one I needed for my company to be compliant with my customers drug test requirements.

Kevin Howell - 12/19/2024

Fast service and friendly staff!

Fast service and friendly staff! Could not recommend enough for drug testing services.

Habib Malik - 4/12/2025


(800) 221-4291