Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Westend, CA

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

2 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Westend

Minutes Away, Test Today

808 W Ridgecrest Blvd17.47 miles

808 W Ridgecrest Blvd
Ridgecrest, CA 93555

9300 N Loop Blvd Ste A & B46.72 miles

9300 N Loop Blvd Ste A & B
California City, CA 93505

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Westend, California. Specialists in hair drug and alcohol tests, our centers across the nation can conduct these tests efficiently. To proceed, you'll need 1.5 to 2 inches of hair either from your head or body. Hair analysis can cover drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specific tests as per needs.

In recent times, hair follicle drug tests have become more prevalent for screening. Preferred by employers, courts, and Substance Abuse experts over traditional urine tests, they provide a robust solution for zero-tolerance drug policies, probation monitoring, and more. Their strength lies in a detection window of up to 90 days, their supervised collection, and their resistance to tampering. Yet, for drug use detection within 5 days, urine tests remain most effective.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand's fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about 3 months for various substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, an optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for precise measurement. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. By "head hair," we mean solely scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab procedure for drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into the lab's system, ensuring the sample's seal and shipment are intact, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must be validated for legal admissibility. Any sample with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitates a subsequent confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the base sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex method to implement.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized within both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
  • Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
  • Provides historical data: It shows a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

  • Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
  • Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other testing methods.
  • Variations in results: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Westend, CA

Compared to traditional urine testing methods, hair follicle testing offers superior accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window and tamper-proof nature make it a more dependable option for employers and legal entities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Westend, CA

One of the notable advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to identify drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This provides employers with a comprehensive view of substance use over time, aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Westend, CA

Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures that the outcomes are both reliable and unquestionable, offering peace of mind to those relying on the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Westend, CA

Our extensive network of testing centers makes it easy to access testing services nationwide. This convenience ensures quick, hassle-free testing experiences in Westend and beyond.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Westend, CA

The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and maintains high confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the focus is on privacy and simplicity, addressing potential concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Westend, CA

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services present excellent value, accommodating companies of all sizes while ensuring peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Westend, CA

Hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their high precision and rapid processing times. In Westend, CA, these tests deliver exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use, making them a preferred choice for thorough evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Westend, CA

Using hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free policies, thus minimizing legal risks and fostering a safer workplace environment.

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!

Sophia Schutze - 6/19/2024

Quick, knowledgeable and courteous

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

Greensboro Joseph - 11/19/2024

Very Fun and Easy

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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