Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Plymouth, California. If you're seeking a hair drug or alcohol assessment, Accredited Drug Testing is a specialist in hair analysis, with facilities across all U.S. cities capable of administering the test. Generally, a minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair, from the scalp or body, is necessary. These tests can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or provide tailored hair analysis solutions.
In recent times, hair follicle drug tests have increasingly become the preferred approach for drug screening. Employers, judicial bodies, and substance abuse experts often favor hair drug tests over standard urine tests. Hair analysis is adopted by entities enforcing strict anti-drug policies, courts, and probationary programs. The chief advantage of hair testing lies in a substantially extended detection window covering up to 90 days, conducted through a monitored collection process, making it nearly impossible to evade. Nonetheless, urine tests remain the best choice for identifying recent drug use, specifically within a 5-day timeframe.
* 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 regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use over a period of roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches in length, consisting of about 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides approximately 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both initial screening and confirmation. For testing EtG, or tests with more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial input of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not automated by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening acts as a rapid assessment for drug abuse. While this step is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptively positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
For presumptively positive samples identified in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.
Confirmation of any promising screening result occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed “hair follicle tests,” the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Plymouth, CA:
Hair follicle testing effectively eclipses traditional urine analysis by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis detects a broader range of substances over a more extended period. For employers and entities keen on maintaining stringent drug-free environments, hair testing provides an unmatched depth of information and peace of mind in ensuring workplace safety.
Extended Detection Window in Plymouth, CA:
One of the most notable benefits of hair follicle testing is its capacity for an extended detection window, observing drug usage up to 90 days prior. This extensive timeframe grants employers a thorough understanding of a candidate or employee's substance history, facilitating informed decision-making and heightened awareness of workplace drug use trends.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Plymouth, CA:
The integrity of hair follicle tests is unmatched due to their tamper-resistant nature. Adulteration or substitution risks, common in other testing formats, are significantly minimized. This method ensures robustness and trustworthiness in results, offering stakeholders in Plymouth, CA, reliable data upon which to base crucial employment or legal decisions.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Plymouth, CA:
With a network of testing centers spread across the nation, accessing hair follicle testing services is practical and hassle-free. Individuals and organizations in Plymouth benefit from the proximity and availability of local centers, ensuring tests are conducted efficiently without unnecessary delays or complications.
Simple, Confidential Process in Plymouth, CA:
Ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is a straightforward and confidential procedure. The privacy concerns of individuals are paramount, with each stage of the process designed to guarantee ease and security. This ensures participants feel comfortable and informed throughout their interaction with testing services.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Plymouth, CA:
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick result delivery, invaluable to businesses of all sizes in Plymouth. This combination of affordability and speed ensures that organizations receive exceptional value, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining drug-free work environments efficiently and cost-effectively.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Plymouth, CA:
The precision and quick turnaround of hair follicle drug tests stand out significantly. Hair analysis ensures high accuracy in substance use detection, swiftly delivering results. Compared to other methods, the advanced technology employed in hair testing guarantees trustworthy outcomes, thus making it the preferred choice for those needing fast and dependable testing solutions in Plymouth.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Plymouth, CA:
Hair follicle testing is instrumental in helping organizations maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It reduces the likelihood of legal issues while bolstering workplace security. Employers in Plymouth gain assurance in their hiring and management strategies, fostering a culture of accountability and safety.