In Edwards, Colorado, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug screening. If you're seeking hair-based drug or alcohol tests, our expertise lies in hair analysis, with facilities nationwide ready to conduct these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body might suffice for most evaluations. Hair tests can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be tailored for other testing needs.
Recently, drug testing methods have increasingly incorporated hair follicle screening. Employers, courts, and Substance Abuse specialists prefer this over a typical urine test. Hair follicle exams are favored by zero-tolerance employers, the judicial system, and those on probation. Its main advantage is the extended drug detection span, up to 90 days, and it's collected under supervision, making it hard to tamper. Nevertheless, for drug use detection within the last 5 days, urine tests remain unmatched.
* 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 testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows, hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug use. When harvested close to the scalp, it provides a detection period of up to roughly three months for substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch length consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) from the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, a comparable portion of body hair can be collected. Scalp hair refers specifically to head hair, while body hair pertains to all other hair regions (such as facial and axillary hair).
Process Overview
The processing of a drug test in a lab consists of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This stage involves confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as an initial, rapid test for substances of abuse. Though Screening offers a cost-effective means to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation to be legally valid. Presumptive positives in Screening require an additional confirmation step.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are removed from hair in this phase at lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique.
Confirmation of any positive screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Edwards, CO, hair follicle testing is increasingly recognized for its superior benefits over urine tests. Its advantages include enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers a broader window for detection.
Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in Edwards, CO provides an extensive window for detecting drug use, often reaching up to 90 days. This capability offers employers keen insights into an individual’s substance use history, enabling a much deeper assessment compared to traditional methods that offer shorter detection periods.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Conducting hair follicle tests in Edwards, CO significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. The method ensures that the results are reliable and indisputable, offering a level of integrity in drug testing that is hard to match. Tampering becomes substantially more challenging, safeguarding the authenticity of the test.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Our services offer both nationwide reach and local convenience for hair follicle testing in Edwards, CO. This extensive network guarantees easy and prompt access to testing centers, alleviating the stress associated with scheduling tests and ensuring hassle-free experiences.
Simple, Confidential Process
The process for hair follicle testing in Edwards, CO is designed to be straightforward while preserving confidentiality. It addresses privacy concerns and streamlines the ordering, testing, and results retrieval phases, emphasizing user-friendliness and discretion.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Companies in Edwards, CO benefit from competitive pricing and fast turnaround times with our hair follicle testing services. This combination provides excellent value, accommodating the needs and budgets of businesses across various scales, while ensuring they receive timely information.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests make them an exceptional choice in Edwards, CO. These tests offer unmatched accuracy when it comes to detecting substance use, ensuring employers feel confident in the results they receive. They significantly outpace traditional methods in providing both speed and clarity of results.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Edwards, CO helps employers maintain a drug-free workplace, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations. This method significantly minimizes legal risks and enhances overall safety standards, providing companies with peace of mind.