Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle substance testing services in North Columbia, FL. If in need of either a drug or alcohol hair test, our expertise lies in hair testing, supported by testing centers nationwide capable of conducting these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body is needed. Our hair tests cover drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored options.
Recently, hair follicle testing has become a core component of drug testing methods. A shift is noted with employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals favoring this method over traditional urine tests. Employers with zero-tolerance policies, courts, and probation services widely adopt hair tests. Their chief advantage is a detection span of up to 90 days, with oversight during sample collection, making tampering almost impossible. Despite its benefits, urine tests remain superior for detecting recent drug use within five days.
* 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 perceived as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can potentially reveal substance use for up to an estimated 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and conveniently transported.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hairs (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG), additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen amounting to 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to ascertain the specimen's weight. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a comparable volume of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Outline
The lab processing of a drug test result encompasses four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a lab's workflow. This step includes ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening is a preliminary simple assessment for substances of abuse. Although it’s a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use across most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
If a sample registers as presumptively positive in Screening, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair testing the most demanding methodology.
Confirmation of any positive Screening results is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests, especially in North Columbia, FL. With a detection window extending up to 90 days, employers benefit from a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use, something urine tests struggle to achieve. This distinct edge makes hair testing a superior choice for maintaining a drug-free work environment.
Not only does hair testing identify substances over a more extended period, but it also offers enhanced accuracy and reliability. The potential for tampering is significantly reduced, giving employers greater confidence in the results. In contrast, urine tests are more susceptible to adulteration, hence less dependable for long-term detection.
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing is a standout feature for employers in North Columbia, FL. This method allows for the detection of drug use patterns over a much longer period, often up to 90 days. Such a comprehensive timeline provides employers with a thorough understanding of an employee or applicant's history with substance use.
Unlike urine tests, which only capture recent drug activity, hair follicle tests identify consistent usage over time. This prolonged detection period acts as a substantial tool for employers wanting to ensure a drug-free environment, as it reveals ongoing patterns rather than isolated incidents.
In North Columbia, FL, hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration compared to other methods. The collection process itself—a piece of hair cut directly from the head or body—minimizes opportunities for tampering or substitution, ensuring the integrity of the results.
This method provides a reliable and indisputable testing process, offering employers confidence in the results' authenticity. The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests is a crucial advantage over other testing methods, where sample integrity is often compromised, affecting reliability.
Convenience is key in North Columbia, FL, where numerous testing centers ensure hassle-free access to hair follicle testing. Nationwide locations enable quick and easy scheduling for drug tests, facilitating prompt access and minimal disruption to the day-to-day operations.
These strategically placed testing centers mean quick access not just for locals but for companies that operate across multiple regions. The constantly expanding network assures that professional testing services are readily accessible when needed most.
Hair follicle testing in North Columbia, FL, offers a simple and confidential testing process, ensuring user privacy and ease of use. Clients can discreetly order tests, go through a non-invasive collection procedure, and receive their results quickly, all while maintaining absolute confidentiality.
The system in place is designed to be user-friendly, facilitating smooth transitions from order to results. This ease and confidentiality reinforce trust and satisfaction for all parties involved.
North Columbia, FL, benefits from affordable pricing and quick turnaround with hair follicle tests. Competitive pricing structures make it accessible to businesses of all sizes, while the rapid delivery of results ensures timely decision-making.
Businesses appreciate the affordability that does not compromise on quality or accuracy, providing peace of mind when managing drug compliance and safety standards amidst financial constraints.
In North Columbia, FL, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and swiftness. The procedure accurately identifies substances used over the past several months, providing results that employers can trust. This testing method makes a significant impact by delivering reliable data that is conducive to informed decision-making, ensuring a workplace that prioritizes health and safety.
The high accuracy of these tests stems from their ability to offer a detailed history of substance usage. Compared to other testing methods, hair follicle tests minimize the margin for error, enhancing the overall reliability of the results. This level of precision is invaluable for employers seeking fast, accurate solutions.
Employers in North Columbia, FL, seeking compliance with drug-free workplace policies find hair follicle testing indispensable. By adopting this testing approach, they mitigate potential legal risks and enhance overall safety. The rigorous nature of hair testing aligns with zero-tolerance drug policies, providing peace of mind for business owners and management alike.
With hair follicle testing, employers are assured of maintaining a compliant, safe, and productive workplace. This method supports enforcing policy requirements consistently, reducing the risk of infractions, and ensuring reliable documentation in cases of disputes related to substance use.
