Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments in Cottonwood, Colorado. Whether you require a hair drug or alcohol evaluation, Accredited Drug Testing is an expert in hair analysis, with facilities nationwide that can perform such tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body is necessary. Hair assessments can be tailored to detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specific hair analysis requirements.
In recent times, hair follicle drug tests have become a more common approach for drug assessments. Employers, legal systems, and Substance Abuse agencies often choose hair tests over traditional urine tests. These tests are favored by employers with zero-tolerance drug policies, courts, and probation services. A significant advantage of hair testing is its extended detection range, up to 90 days, with direct observation during collection, making it very difficult to tamper with. However, for substances used in the last 5 days, urine tests remain the most reliable option.
* 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 recognized as a potent method for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. It offers a comprehensive timeline of drug usage by capturing biomarkers in the hair's growing fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair samples can detect drug and alcohol consumption spanning nearly three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If head hair is not available, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair includes all other types (such as facial or underarm hair).
Process Overview
The primary stages in processing a lab drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial stage of integrating a sample into a lab's system. It ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening offers a preliminary test for illicit drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally valid. Any samples testing positive in Screening require further confirmation.
When a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is sourced from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (such as urine or saliva), indicating hair drug testing as the most challenging method.
Verification of any positive screening is done using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing positive initially are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair qualifications and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Pros of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Cottonwood, CO, the benefits are undeniable. Hair testing provides superior detection capabilities, ensuring a more reliable assessment of substance use history. Unlike urine tests, hair tests track drug use over a longer period, offering a more comprehensive overview. This method greatly enhances the accuracy of detection and reduces the likelihood of evasion and tampering.
Extended detection windows in hair follicle testing offer a distinct advantage for employers in Cottonwood, CO. Covering up to 90 days of potential substance use, this method provides a detailed substance history. Employers gain better insights into the consistent behaviors of employees or applicants, aiding in making more informed hiring and management decisions based on thorough historical data.
Hair follicle tests in Cottonwood, CO, are known for being a tamper-resistant testing method. Because of their design, the risk of sample adulteration is significantly minimized. This method ensures the results are both reliable and incontestable, providing peace of mind for employers who require utmost accuracy and assurance in drug testing outcomes, safeguarding the integrity of the results.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including in Cottonwood, CO, accessing testing services has never been easier. Our network ensures quick, straightforward, and stress-free testing experiences. Nationwide coverage allows individuals and businesses in Cottonwood to benefit from easy access to reliable and timely drug testing services, reducing the need for extensive travel and enabling efficient processing.
In Cottonwood, CO, the process of getting a hair follicle test is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are streamlined to ensure privacy and ease. This method addresses common concerns about confidentiality, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience where individuals can rest assured that their data and privacy will be handled with the utmost professionalism.
In Cottonwood, CO, hair follicle testing stands out with its affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Competitive pricing structures ensure excellent value, while rapid processing means results are swiftly delivered. These factors combined make hair testing an ideal choice for companies of all sizes looking to maintain high standards of safety and compliance, without incurring prohibitive costs or delays.
In Cottonwood, CO, hair follicle drug tests deliver swift, accurate results. Renowned for their high precision, these tests reveal substance use with reliability. The speed of processing ensures that results are delivered faster, providing crucial information without delay. This efficiency is crucial for employers and agencies needing to make informed decisions quickly based on the most reliable data available.
Ensuring compliance and peace of mind for employers in Cottonwood, CO, is made simpler with hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal exposure and bolstering safety. Employers can trust in these thorough evaluations to uphold standards, confidently maintaining a safer and more compliant working environment without compromising on accuracy.
