Accredited Drug Testing offers thorough hair follicle drug analyses in Alhambra, California. Should you require a hair test for drugs or alcohol, our expertise in hair testing is backed by a network of centers across all cities nationwide capable of conducting hair examinations. Typically, hair samples should measure 1.5 to 2 inches from the crown or body. These can be scrutinized for various substances, including drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other bespoke testing options.
Lately, hair follicle drug tests have become more common in the drug testing landscape. Numerous employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse professionals prefer hair testing over traditional urine analysis. This method is favored by zero-tolerance employers, courts, and probation programs for its extended detection duration, typically up to 90 days, collected in a supervised process, reducing the chance of deception. Nonetheless, urine tests remain the gold standard for discerning drug use within the past 5 days.
* 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 is widely recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by trapping biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to ship.
A sample of 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings over 10 panels, it's best to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for a drug test result includes four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning begins with integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary and quick check for drugs of abuse. While screening is efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result needs confirmation to be accepted in court. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in screening need further confirmation.
If screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is taken from the sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations than in methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening one of the more challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of a positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed as necessary prior to confirmation. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests," this test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp
Hair follicle testing is gaining favor in Alhambra, CA, over traditional urine tests due to its superior benefits. Hair tests are acclaimed for their longer detection windows and resistance to tampering, showcasing their advantage in identifying substance use. While urine tests may detect recent drug use, hair tests provide an in-depth look at a person's history, extending up to 90 days. This exceptional accuracy lends them credibility and reliability unmatched by typical urine tests.
In Alhambra, CA, one of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. Unlike urine tests, which only detect recent drug usage, hair tests can uncover substance use extending back 90 days. This enables employers to fully assess an individual's long-term substance habits, ensuring informed and comprehensive evaluations. Hair testing offers a broader understanding of an applicant or employee's drug history, making it essential for thorough assessments.
Hair follicle testing in Alhambra, CA, is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature, offering reliable drug screening services. This testing method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, a common issue with urine testing. The integrity of the results from hair samples is difficult to compromise, providing trustworthy and conclusive outcomes. Businesses can rely on hair tests for accurate data, knowing that the chances of external interference are minimized.
The convenience of nationwide testing locations combined with local accessibility in Alhambra, CA, makes hair follicle testing straightforward. Accredited Drug Testing ensures seamless access across the nation while maintaining community-focused centers. This network eliminates logistical barriers, offering simple scheduling and testing processes. Local options enhance availability, providing hassle-free testing for all clients.
In Alhambra, CA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, prioritizing privacy from ordering to result retrieval. This straightforward procedure respects personal privacy while offering an efficient approach to substance testing. Clients can be assured that their information remains protected through a confidential process, ensuring ease of use and peace of mind throughout their testing experience.
Accredited Drug Testing in Alhambra, CA, provides affordable pricing and fast results, ensuring great value for businesses big or small. Our competitive pricing structures are designed to fit different budgetary requirements while maintaining high-quality service and quick turnaround times. Companies benefit from the efficient delivery of results without compromising on the cost, making us a sensible choice for reliable drug testing.
In Alhambra, CA, hair follicle drug testing provides fast, accurate, and reliable results. Unlike urine tests, which can be more time-consuming, hair tests swiftly detect substance use with superior precision. By analyzing hair samples, laboratories can quickly determine the presence of drugs, offering employers and individuals unmatched reliability and trust in the outcomes. This rapid turnaround makes hair testing a preferred choice for many organizations.
For Alhambra, CA, employers, hair follicle testing offers compliance with workplace drug policies, promoting safety and reducing legal risks. Utilizing hair testing supports compliance with zero-tolerance regulations by accurately identifying ongoing substance use over extensive periods. Employers gain peace of mind, knowing their workforce aligns with the company’s drug-free standards while diminishing liability concerns.
