At Accredited Drug Testing, we provide comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Postville, Iowa. Should you require a hair-based drug or alcohol test, our expertise lies in this testing method, with facilities throughout the nation that can conduct the examination. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body suffices. Our hair tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be tailored for other specific assessments.
In the past few years, hair follicle drug testing has become increasingly popular for detecting substance use. This method is now favored by employers, courts, and substance abuse specialists over traditional urine tests. Employers with strict drug policies, as well as legal entities and probationers, often opt for hair testing. The main advantage is a longer detection window, lasting up to 90 days. The hair test collection is well-supervised, making it challenging to falsify, although urine tests are still preferred for detecting more recent substance use within 5 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 testing is recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can offer an approximate detection period of up to 3 months for drugs and alcohol. Hair samples are straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is an optimal quantity for testing and validation. For EtG assessments, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be lacking, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing procedure encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning deals with the initial phase of entering a sample into a lab's system, ensuring it was properly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system doesn’t cover.
Screening entails a preliminary inspection for illicit drugs. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient means to exclude usage in most cases, a positive result must be verified to be legally acceptable. Samples with an initial positive result in Screening require further confirmation.
For samples considered positive at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other testing methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair testing is notably challenging to perform.
Verification of any positive screening result employs techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive result undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated against the standards set by CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the assessment actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Postville, IA
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests offer superior reliability and detection accuracy. They can identify drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which have a brief detection period. This thorough detection capability gives employers and authorities a more comprehensive view of substance use.
Moreover, the difficulty of tampering with hair samples enhances the integrity of results, ensuring that findings are accurate and trustworthy. This contributes to maintaining high standards for testing protocols.
Extended Detection Window in Postville, IA
Hair follicle testing provides an extensive window for detecting drug use, reaching back up to 90 days. This extended period offers employers a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history, informing critical decisions such as hiring or ongoing employment evaluations.
This extensive view of substance use allows for informed choices regarding safety and compliance within the workplace, potentially reducing risks associated with undetected drug use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Postville, IA
Hair follicle drug tests significantly diminish the potential for sample manipulation, providing reliable and unquestionable outcomes. The rigorous nature of this testing process ensures that the results are authentic and trustworthy, safeguarding against attempts to alter the sample.
The secure collection method utilized in hair any test further enforces its reliability, offering assurance to those depending on the accuracy of the results for regulatory or safety purposes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Postville, IA
The convenience of having nationwide testing centers allows for swift and easy access to our services. This ensures that no matter the location, individuals requiring testing can receive it without hassle, supporting both local and remote needs effectively.
The emphasis on accessibility makes the testing process efficient and stress-free, promoting smooth operations for both employees and employers across Postville and beyond.
Simple, Confidential Process in Postville, IA
Our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple yet confidential, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering to receiving results. Addressing any concerns about personal information, we prioritize confidentiality every step of the way.
This straightforward approach makes the entire process less daunting, allowing individuals to focus on obtaining their important results without undue stress or complication.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Postville, IA
We offer competitive pricing structures and swift result turnaround times, ensuring excellent value for organizations of any size. This combination of affordability and efficiency enables businesses to maintain rigorous drug testing standards economically.
The fast processing of tests coupled with reasonable costs alleviates budget constraints while providing essential insights into employees' substance history.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Postville, IA
Hair follicle drug tests provide swift turnaround without compromising accuracy. The precision of these tests is remarkable, making it an ideal choice for detecting substance use. This method ensures results are both dependable and timely, offering peace of mind to both employers and individuals.
With hair testing, the confidence in results stems from its meticulous analysis process, which delivers conclusive findings quickly. This reliability is crucial for urgent scenarios and ensures the tested individual’s history is accurately evaluated.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Postville, IA
Hair follicle testing supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, helping employers mitigate legal risks while enhancing workplace safety. By implementing this testing method, businesses can ensure their compliance requirements are met, fostering a safer work environment.
This proactive approach to testing provides peace of mind, knowing that employee substance use is being accurately monitored, reducing potential incidents and liabilities.
