In Los Gatos, California, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle testing for drugs. When a hair drug or alcohol test is needed, Accredited Drug Testing excels in hair tests and maintains testing facilities in cities across the nation, capable of conducting the required tests. For most scenarios, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body is necessary. These tests assess for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other personalized hair testing solutions.
Drug testing methods have increasingly incorporated hair follicle drug tests in the past few years. Many companies, legal systems, and Substance Abuse experts are opting for hair drug tests over traditional urine tests. Employers with zero-tolerance policies on drug use, courts, and individuals on probation widely use hair follicle drug tests. Their major advantage is a longer drug detection timeframe, often up to 90 days, conducted under observation, and not easily manipulated. Nonetheless, for detecting recent substance use within the last 5 days, urine tests remain the most accurate.
* 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 recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can provide an extended history of drug and alcohol use by trapping biomarkers within the hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly three-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample containing approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary phases in processing a laboratory drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample in a lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addressing any extra data entry not included via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid assessment for potential drug use. While Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires subsequent confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples testing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For samples testing presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid testing, making hair testing the most complex approach.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required prior to confirmation. The lab process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis itself examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Los Gatos, CA
Hair testing offers superior benefits over traditional urine tests, notably in terms of detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a longer detection window and are less prone to tampering. This makes them a more trustworthy method for identifying past substance use, essential for workplaces enforcing stringent drug-use policies.
Extended Detection Window in Los Gatos, CA
Hair follicle testing stands out for its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This extensive window offers employers a comprehensive view of an applicant's or employee's substance use history, making it a beneficial tool for long-term substance monitoring beyond the capability of conventional screening methods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Los Gatos, CA
Hair follicle tests significantly enhance reliability by reducing the risk of sample tampering. This testing method provides trustworthy results, as it is highly resistant to conventional methods of adulteration. Employers in Los Gatos can rely on hair testing for unquestionable outcomes that support maintaining a drug-free workplace environment.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Los Gatos, CA
Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including local ones in Los Gatos, addresses the need for quick, hassle-free access to testing services. This expansive coverage ensures individuals and companies can easily access reliable drug testing, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Simple, Confidential Process in Los Gatos, CA
The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, catering to privacy concerns and ease of use. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step is designed to ensure user confidentiality and simplicity, providing a hassle-free experience for all involved.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Los Gatos, CA
Our competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times stand out, offering excellent value for companies of all sizes. The affordability and speed of our hair follicle drug tests support businesses seeking cost-effective and efficient solutions to their substance screening needs.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Los Gatos, CA
Hair follicle drug tests in Los Gatos offer unparalleled precision and speed. The accuracy of these tests in detecting substance use is remarkably high, making them a preferred choice for employers and other entities. With rapid result delivery, hair follicle testing is ideal for those who need swift and dependable drug screening outcomes in various situations.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Los Gatos, CA
Utilizing hair follicle drug tests ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By adopting this rigorous testing method, employers can reduce legal risks and enhance overall workplace safety. The peace of mind that comes with reliable and compliant drug testing safeguards organizational reputation and employee well-being.
