Accredited Drug Testing offers thorough hair follicle drug assessments in Thousand Oaks, California. Should you require a hair-based drug or alcohol exam, we excel in these tests. Our testing centers are spread across all cities Nationwide. Generally, you need between 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body for analysis. These tests can check for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized to your specifications.
Lately, hair follicle drug assessments have increasingly become the norm for drug testing. Many workplaces, courts, and addiction specialists prefer them to the traditional urine tests. These tests are ideal for employers adhering to strict no-drug policies, courts, and probationary cases. A key advantage lies in their ability to detect substance use over a much longer period—up to 90 days—making it nearly tamper-proof. For drug use screening in recent days, a urine test remains the gold standard confidently.
* 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 analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair preserves a prolonged record of substances by capturing biomarkers within the growing strand. When taken from near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over an approximately three-month period. Hair is easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hairs (roughly the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferable. We suggest determining the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, equivalent body hair can be used. By head hair, we imply solely scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four core stages in a lab drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the primary setup of a sample within a lab’s system. This includes ensuring the sample's integrity in shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary test for illegal substances. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most cases, a positive result needs confirmation to stand in court. Any sample that seems positive in Screening necessitates an additional confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive during Screening, more hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from hair at very low concentrations compared to other mediums (like urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Confirmation of any positive result post-Screening is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any sample showing provisional positivity must be cleaned pre-confirmation when required. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the lab process 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: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", these analyze the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Thousand Oaks, CA, hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities over urine tests. Hair tests have a longer detection window, capable of identifying drug usage up to 90 days prior. This offers employers and professionals a more comprehensive insight, unlike urine tests, which are limited to recent drug use. Furthermore, hair tests are less susceptible to manipulation, ensuring result integrity.
While urine tests can identify recent drug use more accurately, the limitations in their detection timeline often necessitate additional testing methods for a complete analysis. Hair testing provides this broader view, making it highly valuable in various settings.
Hair follicle testing in Thousand Oaks, CA, is renowned for its extended detection window, remaining effective up to 90 days post-drug use. This allows employers to gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s substance history, aiding in more informed hiring and employment decisions. Where urine tests fall short, hair tests provide comprehensive oversight, clearly outlining substance use patterns over an extended period.
Hair follicle drug tests in Thousand Oaks, CA, are particularly valued for their tamper-resistant nature. The collection process involves direct observation, making it difficult, if not impossible, to alter the samples. This provides a high level of confidence in the results. The integrity of hair samples is less prone to contamination or adulteration than other testing methods, such as urine.
Accredited Drug Testing boasts extensive locations across the nation, including facilities right here in Thousand Oaks, CA. This ensures easy access for individuals and organizations requiring drug testing services. Our centers provide convenient, hassle-free testing that aligns with the needs of our clients.
The process for arranging and completing hair follicle tests in Thousand Oaks, CA, is both straightforward and discreet. By offering a simple ordering procedure, clients can easily schedule their tests, ensuring privacy is maintained from start to finish. Our commitment to confidentiality assures clients that their information is securely protected throughout every stage of testing.
In Thousand Oaks, CA, our competitive pricing structure and swift turnaround times position us as a leader in drug testing services. By offering affordable rates, companies of all sizes can benefit from our high-quality services without compromising their budgets. The value derived from quick, accurate test results supports decisive action and ongoing peace of mind.
The speed and accuracy of hair follicle tests are unparalleled in Thousand Oaks, CA, offering precise detection of substance use. By using cutting-edge technology, these tests ensure that results are consistently reliable. They provide peace of mind for both individuals and organizations by confirming with certainty the presence or absence of substances.
For businesses in Thousand Oaks, CA, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal issues. This method underscores an employer's commitment to safety, promoting a secure and productive environment. As policies and compliance are upheld, companies more effectively safeguard their operations by integrating reliable testing procedures.