In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing. If you're in need of hair drug or alcohol testing, our expertise lies in hair testing, with locations available across all Nationwide cities that conduct hair analysis. A length of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair on the head or body can typically be used. Hair samples are suitable for testing drugs, alcohol/ETG, or customized purposes.
Over the past few years, hair follicle drug tests have been increasingly utilized as a method for drug screening. Employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse professionals often prefer hair drug tests over traditional urine tests. Tests are implemented by employers with zero-tolerance drug policies and in court proceedings or during probation. The main advantage is the extended period of detection for drugs, reaching up to 90 days, with an observed collection that resists tampering. However, for drug detection within the last 5 days, the urine test remains the most precise 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 increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands retain a chronological record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the hair's structure. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to around three months for alcohol and drug use. Collection is easy, tampering is relatively difficult, and transportation is straightforward.
A 1.5-inch section containing approximately 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's diameter) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair—an optimal sample for both preliminary and confirmatory tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those above 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unobtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair denotes all other types, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The lab handling of drug test outcomes involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into a lab setting. This step ensures the sample's seal integrity and correct dispatch, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary evaluation aimed at detecting drug use for abuse substances. While Screening offers a cost-effective method for excluding drug involvement in most samples, a positive result requires validation for legal acceptability. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate further verification.
If the Screening phase suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which renders hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.
The Confirmation of a positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if required. Review of the entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is performed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and the accreditation in alignment with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer as the analysis concerns the hair strand itself and not the follicle below the scalp.
Comparing Hair Tests to Urine Tests in Cedar Rapids, IA
Extended Detection Window in Cedar Rapids, IA
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cedar Rapids, IA
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Cedar Rapids, IA
A Simple, Confidential Process in Cedar Rapids, IA
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cedar Rapids, IA
In Cedar Rapids, IA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision, offering rapid and trusted results. This method excels in detecting substance use, ensuring accurate readings that aid in a variety of settings. The process highlights how quickly results are determined, providing timely assessments which are critical for employers and individuals seeking reliable testing outcomes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cedar Rapids, IA