In Capitola, California, Accredited Drug Testing provides holistic hair follicle drug testing. For those requiring a hair-based drug or alcohol evaluation, our specialty lies in hair analysis, available through our centers nationwide. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body suffices for testing. Our analyses cover drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored hair test options.
The prevalence of hair follicle drug testing has increased in recent years, often superseding conventional urine tests. Employers with strict drug-use prohibitions, judicial systems, and probation services favor hair tests. The main advantage is their extended detection window, generally up to 90 days, accompanied by supervised collection. Nonetheless, for drug use occurring in the past five days, urine analysis remains 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 examinations have emerged as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to send.
A 1.5-inch portion of about 200 hair strands (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and authentication. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar weight of body hair can be gathered. In reference to head hair, we're exclusively referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The fundamental steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into a lab’s system. This entails confirming the sample was sealed and sent correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any leftover data entry unavailable from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally accepted. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the most challenges in execution.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleansed before Confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Why hair testing reigns supreme over urine tests in Capitola, CA stems from several key benefits. Hair tests offer unrivaled detection accuracy, traceable up to 90 days, versus the limited timeframe of urine. Reliability marks a significant advantage in favor of hair analysis.
Employers in Capitola find hair testing invaluable for its comprehensive detection and difficulty in falsification, offering a much clearer drug use picture than traditional urine tests.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing covers up to 90 days, providing a thorough insight into substance use history. In Capitola, CA, this feature grants employers a more nuanced understanding of an employee's habits.
Such a long detection period underpins hair follicle testing as a superior method over others. It offers employers the peace of mind to assess prolonged substance use, critical for stringent workplace policies.
Hair follicle testing reduces sample tampering risks greatly, ensuring the reliability of results. In Capitola, CA, this method holds an upper hand as it minimizes adulteration and guarantees the authenticity of findings.
Employers favor hair tests because they are hard to manipulate. This security in results fortifies trust and certainty in test outcomes, making hair testing a dependable method of choice.
Convenience stands out with nationwide hair testing locations, making access seamless across Capitola, CA. Our centers offer swift and easy services, minimizing hassle for individuals and employers alike.
The presence of local centers ensures that testing services are readily available, enhancing the efficiency and speed of the process. Quick access to testing is a key benefit for many.
In Capitola, CA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every step. From ordering to result retrieval, the process is designed to be user-friendly.
Clients appreciate the simplicity and discretion guaranteed by our services. We address privacy concerns by maintaining strict confidentiality, while also ensuring ease of use in testing procedures.
We offer competitive pricing in Capitola, CA for our hair follicle tests, coupled with fast turnaround times. This ensures our services provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes.
Cost-effective solutions and swift results underline the appeal of our hair testing, ensuring that companies can rely on high-quality services without incurring significant costs or waiting prolonged periods.
In Capitola, CA, hair follicle tests are renowned for delivering rapid, dependable results. Their high precision ensures substance use is detected accurately, making them a preferred option for many. Speed and accuracy are the cornerstones that set these tests apart.
Compared to other methods, hair follicle testing provides unparalleled precision, swiftly pinpointing drug use. The reliability and quickness of results make it an optimal choice for rigorous compliance requirements.
Employers in Capitola, CA, achieve both compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. It supports workplace safety by aligning with drug-free workplace policies and reduces legal risks.
Hair testing helps employers adhere to local regulations and enhances overall work safety, providing a safeguard against substance misuse within the workplace environment.