Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Saratoga, CA

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

32 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Saratoga

Minutes Away, Test Today

25, Via Luigi Pirandello3.84 miles

25, Via Luigi Pirandello
Pedara, Catania, KS 95030

10050 Bubb Rd Ste 34.01 miles

10050 Bubb Rd Ste 3
Cupertino, CA 95014

2581 Samaritan Drive, Suite 1084.06 miles

2581 Samaritan Drive, Suite 108
San Jose, CA 95124

3880 S Bascom Ave Ste 1094.09 miles

3880 S Bascom Ave Ste 109
San Jose, CA 95124

3880 S Bascom Ave Ste 1124.09 miles

3880 S Bascom Ave Ste 112
San Jose, CA 95124

10050 N Wolfe Rd Ste Sw1-1904.18 miles

10050 N Wolfe Rd Ste Sw1-190
Cupertino, CA 95014

1580 Winchester Blvd Ste 2024.24 miles

1580 Winchester Blvd Ste 202
Campbell, CA 95008

877 W Fremont Avenue, Ste H-25.93 miles

877 W Fremont Avenue, Ste H-2
Sunnyvale, CA 94087

123 Di Salvo Ave, Suite G5.97 miles

123 Di Salvo Ave, Suite G
San Jose, CA 95128

2105 Forest Ave6.03 miles

2105 Forest Ave
San Jose, CA 95128

1825 Civic Center Dr Ste 76.85 miles

1825 Civic Center Dr Ste 7
Santa Clara, CA 95050

242 Meridian Ave Ste C6.96 miles

242 Meridian Ave Ste C
San Jose, CA 95126

15 Tillman Ave7.08 miles

15 Tillman Ave
San Jose, CA 95126

901 W El Camino Real7.13 miles

901 W El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087

2500 Grant Rd7.51 miles

2500 Grant Rd
Mountain View, CA 94040

2737 Walsh Ave7.60 miles

2737 Walsh Ave
Santa Clara, CA 95051

3162 Newberry Dr Ste G7.67 miles

3162 Newberry Dr Ste G
San Jose, CA 95118

988 Walsh Ave7.67 miles

988 Walsh Ave
Santa Clara, CA 95050

1195 E Arques Ave Bldg 17.75 miles

1195 E Arques Ave Bldg 1
Sunnyvale, CA 94085

1400 Coleman Ave Ste F13 Ste F-137.80 miles

1400 Coleman Ave Ste F13 Ste F-13
Santa Clara, CA 95050

573 W El Camino Real7.85 miles

573 W El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA 94040

1893 Monterey Hwy Ste 2008.91 miles

1893 Monterey Hwy Ste 200
San Jose, CA 95112

1901 Monterey Hwy Ste 108.91 miles

1901 Monterey Hwy Ste 10
San Jose, CA 95112

554 Blossom Hill Rd9.87 miles

554 Blossom Hill Rd
San Jose, CA 95123

2290 W El Camino Real Ste 49.99 miles

2290 W El Camino Real Ste 4
Mountain View, CA 94040

2435 S King Rd Ste 6011.28 miles

2435 S King Rd Ste 60
San Jose, CA 95122

1717 S Main St11.40 miles

1717 S Main St
Milpitas, CA 95035

266 N Jackson Ave Ste 411.45 miles

266 N Jackson Ave Ste 4
San Jose, CA 95116

2375 Montpelier Dr, Ste 2011.55 miles

2375 Montpelier Dr, Ste 20
San Jose, CA 95116

1910 N Capitol Ave11.93 miles

1910 N Capitol Ave
San Jose, CA 95132

275 Hospital Pkwy Fl 512.15 miles

275 Hospital Pkwy Fl 5
San Jose, CA 95119

315 S Abbott Ave12.22 miles

315 S Abbott Ave
Milpitas, CA 95035

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing provides thorough hair follicle drug screenings in Saratoga, California. For those in need of hair drug or alcohol evaluations, our expertise in hair testing includes facilities across all cities nationwide equipped for hair analysis. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body hair can be used. Our hair evaluations can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, along with other tailored options.

In recent years, utilizing hair follicle drug evaluations has become more prevalent for substance detection. More employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse experts now opt for hair drug screenings over the conventional urine tests. This method serves employers with zero-tolerance policies, court mandates, and probation requirements effectively. The chief advantage of hair follicle testing lies in its extended detection window, up to 90 days, ensuring an observed and hard-to-tamper process. Yet, for detection within a recent 5-day window, urine tests remain most precise.

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and narcotic use by enclosing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, hair offers approximately a 90-day window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, less prone to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp equates to 100mg, the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is suggested. It is advised to measure the hair using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When head hair is referenced, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure of a drug test result consists of four central phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a lab's database. This step involves confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional information not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick test for illicit drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation for it to be considered valid in legal settings. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening require further validation.

If a sample is preliminarily positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than in other processes (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging processes to conduct.

Verification of any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminarily positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days as opposed to urine tests, which offer a shorter detection period.
  • Hard to falsify: It is notably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
  • Supplies historical data: It reveals a trend of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

  • Cannot identify recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
  • Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other testing methods.
  • Disparities in findings: Factors like hair color and unique hair growth patterns can alter the level of drug residues in hair.

Note: Although frequently dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Saratoga, CA
Hair testing stands out with its superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a larger detection window, thus identifying consistent substance use. This method's reliability makes it an ideal choice for organizations enforcing strict compliance with drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Saratoga, CA
Hair follicle testing surpasses other methods by covering up to a 90-day period for substance use detection. This extended window provides a holistic view of an individual's drug history, aiding employers in making informed decisions about employment and candidate suitability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Saratoga, CA
Introducing hair follicle testing minimizes the possibility of sample tampering. Unlike other drug tests, it is nearly impossible to alter or contaminate hair samples, thus providing results that are both reliable and indisputable. This makes it a preferred choice for secure testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Saratoga, CA
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including local facilities in Saratoga, CA, ensures that accessing testing services is convenient and hassle-free. This widespread availability offers ease of scheduling and requires minimal travel, enhancing the overall testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Saratoga, CA
The process for ordering, undergoing, and receiving results of a hair follicle drug test is streamlined to ensure privacy and ease. From start to finish, the method maintains confidentiality, addressing any privacy concerns individuals may have while delivering results efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Saratoga, CA
Our competitive pricing structures for hair follicle testing offer excellent value. Coupled with rapid processing of results, it provides peace of mind for companies looking for effective, budget-friendly testing solutions, catering to organizations of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Saratoga, CA
Hair follicle drug tests offer prompt and precise identification of substance use. Their high level of accuracy comes from analyzing the samples in specialized labs. The quick turnaround of results ensures timely decision-making for employers and individuals, maintaining high standards of reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Saratoga, CA
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers comply with strict drug-free workplace mandates. This testing method mitigates legal risks, fosters a safer work environment, and gives employers the assurance of maintaining a drug-free policy effectively.

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.


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Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

Customer Reviews

Sweet and helpful

Trish was amazing and got me through the sytem very fast and swift. I had a hard time hearing her a couple of times, but she was super sweet and helpful throughout the process. Highly recommend her!

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Quick, knowledgeable and courteous Janelle worked diligently to support me. I am recommending their services to anyone looking.

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Trish last week and Tatiana this week, very fun and easy folks to deal with. Well be using them more and more in the future.

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