Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug tests in Petaluma, California. For those requiring a hair drug or alcohol test, Accredited Drug Testing is an expert in hair testing, with centers available in every city nationwide to conduct the test. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body are needed. Hair testing can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specialized hair test options.
In recent years, hair follicle drug tests have become a preferred method for drug screening. Employers, courts, and Substance Abuse professionals often opt for hair testing over the usual urine method. Zero-tolerance employers and courts favor hair tests for their extended drug detection period—up to 90 days—and their observed collection. However, urine tests remain most accurate for detecting drug 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.
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Hair collected from near the scalp can offer up to an approximate 3-month detection window for substances. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair variants (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary stages in laboratory processing for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of entering a sample into the laboratory system. This step includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not available from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use for most samples, a positive screening result must be validated to be used in legal settings. Samples with positive screening results require additional confirmation.
Should screening indicate a presumptive positive, more hair is retrieved from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.
Confirmation of positive results from screening is undertaken using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives get washed before confirmation if necessary. The overall process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accredited by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests in Petaluma, CA. With superior detection accuracy and reliability, hair testing provides a comprehensive insight into an individual's drug use history. Unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection windows, hair tests extend that period up to 90 days, offering a more thorough assessment for employers and legal entities.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing, up to 90 days, provides employers in Petaluma, CA with a detailed overview of an applicant or employee's drug use history. This extensive period allows for more informed hiring and retention decisions, giving a clearer picture of substance use patterns compared to other testing methods.
Hair follicle testing in Petaluma, CA significantly reduces the possibility of sample tampering. The integrity of the test is maintained through a rigorous, tamper-proof collection process, ensuring that the results are both reliable and indisputable. This makes hair testing a trustworthy option for those seeking unquestionable results.
Petaluma, CA, benefits from the convenience of numerous nationwide testing centers offering hair follicle testing services. This network ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing facilities, making it simple and efficient for individuals and organizations to undergo required tests, regardless of their location.
Hair follicle testing in Petaluma, CA, features a straightforward and confidential process from order to results. Privacy and ease of use are prioritized, with clear instructions provided to ensure a seamless experience. This approach addresses concerns about confidentiality and simplifies the testing journey for every participant.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Petaluma, CA. These affordable options deliver great value, making accurate and rapid drug testing accessible for companies of all sizes, ensuring peace of mind with cost-effective and efficient services.
In Petaluma, CA, hair follicle drug tests provide unparalleled speed and precision. These tests offer high accuracy rates in identifying substance use, ensuring quick and reliable results for employers and individuals alike. The streamlined process from collection to results guarantees minimal waiting time, allowing for efficient decision-making in various scenarios.
Ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies is crucial for employers in Petaluma, CA. Hair follicle testing provides peace of mind by reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. This method assures adherence to regulations and supports a safe, productive working environment by effectively monitoring and managing substance use.
