Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments across Watsonville, California. Specializing in hair-based examinations, our centers, located in cities nationwide, facilitate these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of scalp or body hair is required. Options for analyzing drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored examinations are available.
In recent years, hair follicle testing has increasingly become part of drug testing practices. Many employers, the judiciary, and addiction specialists favor hair tests over traditional urine tests. This method is employed by zero-tolerance policy companies, legal systems, and probationary individuals. The primary advantage is an extended detection window of up to 90 days, with a monitored collection process that is tough to tamper with. Yet, for recent drug activity within 5 days, urine tests remain most effective.
* 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 regarded as a potent method for uncovering drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. If hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer a roughly 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, it's relatively hard to tamper with, and it's simple to dispatch.
A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, deemed the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses any other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in processing a drug test in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the primary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry lacking in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drugs. Despite being cost-effective for ruling out drugs in most samples, positive Screening results must be confirmed for court validity. Any samples that show positive markers in Screening require further confirmation.
In instances where Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is obtained from the initial sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.
Confirmation of positive screening results is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples marked as presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from start to finish is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Watsonville, CA, revolves around enhanced detection capability and reliability. Hair testing offers an extended detection window, capturing evidence of substance use over months. Unlike urine tests that reflect short-term use, hair follicle tests provide a comprehensive view, making them a superior choice for thorough drug assessments.
Extended Detection Window sets hair follicle testing apart in Watsonville, CA. Covering up to 90 days, this method enables employers to gain deeper insights into an individual's substance use history. Such an extensive timeframe permits a thorough evaluation, providing a complete picture of an applicant or employee's adherence to drug-free standards over the long term.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method significantly reduces the chance of adulteration with hair follicle tests in Watsonville, CA. The robust nature of this method ensures that samples remain intact and unbiased, delivering unequivocal and dependable results. This reliability is critical in maintaining the integrity of drug testing processes across various contexts.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Options in Watsonville, CA highlight our commitment to accessibility. Our wide-ranging network of centers ensures a seamless and prompt testing experience. This extensive reach guarantees that individuals and employers have easy access to reliable testing services, making the process straightforward and efficient.
Simple, Confidential Process in Watsonville, CA, characterizes our hair follicle testing services. We prioritize privacy at every step, from ordering to receiving results, ensuring confidentiality is maintained seamlessly. Users benefit from an uncomplicated procedure that reassures them about their privacy while conveniently obtaining necessary information.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround are key advantages of our services in Watsonville, CA. We offer competitive pricing structures, ensuring that companies of all sizes gain access to valuable drug testing solutions. Coupled with rapid processing times, our services provide significant peace of mind and financial viability to organizations across sectors.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are hallmark attributes of our hair follicle drug tests in Watsonville, CA. This testing provides unparalleled precision and speed, ensuring highly accurate detection of substance use. By offering transparency and rapid feedback, organizations can confidently make informed decisions regarding hiring, compliance, and workplace policies.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers is assured with hair follicle testing in Watsonville, CA. This method aligns with workplace policies promoting a drug-free environment, mitigating legal risks associated with non-compliance. Employers benefit from enhanced safety and assurance, knowing that their staff's substance use is monitored effectively.