In Oxford, Iowa, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing. Whether you require a hair drug or alcohol test, our experts specialize in hair analysis, with facilities across the nation. Typically, a hair sample of 1.5 to 2 inches from the crown or body is necessary. Our hair tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized for specific needs.
Hair follicle drug testing has gained popularity in recent years. Increasingly, employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse specialists opt for hair tests over traditional urine tests. Employers with strict no-drug policies, courts, and those on probation favor this method. The key advantage is its extended detection window of up to 90 days, collected in an observed manner, making it difficult to falsify. For recent use under 5 days, urine tests remain the most accurate.
* 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 regarded as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives long-term patterns of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they develop. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection scope for alcohol and drugs. This method is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) situated closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair isn't an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be acquired. When discussing head hair, we are specifically addressing scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug test result processing involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially introduced into a laboratory’s system. This stage entails confirming the sample was correctly sealed and transported, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment intended to identify drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, any positive findings must be corroborated to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
Should a sample show a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in methodologies such as urine or oral fluid, explaining why hair drug analysis is a particularly challenging method.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is appraised under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the accreditation adhering to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often miscalled "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Outperforms Urine Tests
In Oxford, IA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests due to its extended detection capabilities. This method captures drug use history up to 90 days, far longer than the brief window provided by urine tests. Enhanced accuracy and reliability make hair testing the preferred choice for a growing number of institutions.
Comprehensive Substance History
Hair follicle testing in Oxford, IA offers an extended detection window covering up to 90 days, providing employers an in-depth understanding of an individual's drug usage history. This prolonged period is crucial in assessing long-term substance behaviors, ensuring informed decision-making.
Secure and Tamper-Resistant Analysis
Choosing hair follicle tests in Oxford, IA significantly mitigates sample tampering risks. The inherent integrity of hair testing ensures reliable outcomes that are resistant to manipulation, offering peace of mind to both employers and legal entities.
Convenient Testing Centers
With our vast network of testing facilities, obtaining a hair follicle test in Oxford, IA is straightforward and stress-free. Nationwide coverage guarantees easy accessibility to testing services, allowing swift compliance with drug testing requirements.
Streamlined and Confidential Process
Hair follicle testing in Oxford, IA is designed to be user-friendly and discreet. Ordering the test, providing a sample, and receiving results is seamless, ensuring privacy and simplicity in every step, catering to user comfort and confidentiality concerns.
Cost-Effective and Efficient
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Oxford, IA provide a compelling value proposition. Hair follicle testing offers affordability alongside swift results, benefitting businesses of all sizes with reliable and prompt service.
Precision and Speed of Hair Testing
The accuracy and rapid results of hair follicle tests make them a superior choice in Oxford, IA. These tests offer quick detection of substance use, efficiently revealing drug consumption with high precision. Employers gain reliable insights, allowing them to maintain a productive and safe work environment.
Ensuring Workplace Compliance
By adopting hair follicle testing, employers in Oxford, IA can adhere to strict drug-free policies, effectively reducing legal liabilities. This testing method supports safer work environments, ensuring that regulations are consistently and confidently met.