Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug tests in Oakdale, California. Whether you need a hair drug or alcohol test, our expertise in hair testing is well-established, with centers in every city across the nation ready to conduct hair tests. A typical requirement is having 1.5 to 2 inches of hair on the head or body. These tests can check for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized for other analyses.
Lately, drug testing procedures increasingly include hair follicle drug tests. Employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse professionals now often opt for hair tests over traditional urine tests. This choice is popular among those enforcing zero-tolerance drug policies, probationers, and in judicial contexts. The advantage of hair testing lies in its long detection window of up to 90 days, its observed collection process, and its resistance to tampering. However, urine tests remain more accurate for detecting recent use within the last 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.
The practice of hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective means for uncovering the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance use by locking in biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair provides a detection window of up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.
A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) from nearest the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred quantity for a thorough screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for measurement. If scalp hair is not present, a corresponding amount of body hair may be taken. The term head hair specifically refers to hair on the scalp only. Body hair encompasses all other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The four primary steps in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a specimen into the lab's system. This consists of confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary brisk assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be affirmed to hold up in court. Any samples presenting a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a specimen is presumptively positive during the Screening process, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than via other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug tests.
Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standard of accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oakdale, CA
Hair follicle testing surpasses the traditional urine test by offering enhanced detection accuracy. While urine tests identify recent drug use, hair tests provide a broader timeline, revealing a more comprehensive pattern of substance intake. This method is not only more reliable but also makes it harder for individuals to deceive or tamper with the results.
Extended Detection Window in Oakdale, CA
Hair follicle drug testing offers the advantage of identifying drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This extensive detection window gives employers in Oakdale a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, allowing for better-informed hiring decisions based on a complete view of their potential or current workforce's drug use patterns.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oakdale, CA
One of the significant advantages of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. Unlike other testing methods, the likelihood of sample adulteration is drastically reduced. This ensures that results remain accurate and reliable, providing peace of mind by producing unquestionable outcomes that accurately reflect an individual's substance use history.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oakdale, CA
With a network of nationwide testing centers, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is quick and simple. Local residents of Oakdale, CA, benefit from these conveniently located facilities, ensuring that testing is both hassle-free and readily available, meeting the needs of individuals and businesses without lengthy delays or complicated logistics.
Simple, Confidential Process in Oakdale, CA
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is straightforward and confidential. This ensures privacy and ease of use, addressing concerns about personal data security while making sure that customers in Oakdale experience a seamless testing process, from start to finish.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oakdale, CA
Our competitive pricing model and swift turnaround of hair test results present excellent value, catering to businesses of all sizes in Oakdale, CA. This efficiency allows companies to manage costs effectively while ensuring they receive accurate results promptly, aiding in swift decision-making and maintaining productivity.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oakdale, CA
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their swift and precise outcomes. This testing method offers a high degree of accuracy when detecting substance usage, providing consistent and dependable results. Local residents in Oakdale, CA can benefit from such precise testing, ensuring that any drug use is identified clearly, helping individuals and organizations make informed decisions quickly.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oakdale, CA
Employers enforcing drug-free workplace policies gain assurance with hair follicle tests. By opting for this testing method, companies can ensure their operations comply with legal standards, thus reducing potential legal liabilities. This enhances workplace safety, providing a foundation for maintaining an efficient and compliant workforce in Oakdale, CA.
