In Storm Lake, Iowa, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle testing services. If a hair drug or alcohol test is required, Accredited Drug Testing is proficient in hair analysis, with testing facilities in cities across the nation. Typically, having 1.5 to 2 inches of hair on your scalp or using body hair suffices. Tests analyze drugs, alcohol/ETG, or provide specialized hair testing options.
The trend for drug testing has increasingly shifted towards hair follicle methods over recent years. Organizations like employers, judicial bodies, and Substance Abuse experts prefer hair analysis over the standard urine test. Employers with strict zero-tolerance policies, courts, and probation individuals use these tests given their longer drug detection period, which is generally up to 90 days, and the secure, overseen collection process makes it nearly tamper-proof. Yet, for detecting recent drug use—within the past 5 days—the urine test remains the most reliable.
* 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 a formidable resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encases biomarkers within the strands, offering a comprehensive timeline of substance use with a detection period reaching up to roughly three months when collected proximal to the scalp. This method remains straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable in width to a #2 pencil), will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample size for both screening and confirmation procedures. For EtG, additional, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a recommendation of 150mg is given. It is advisable to weigh the hair specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair is deemed a substitute. Head hair references scalp hair exclusively. Other kinds of body hair denote all remaining hair categories, including facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The process of laboratory analysis of drug test results comprises four significant stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning denotes the preliminary handling of a specimen within the lab’s system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs an initial brief assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage on most samples, results need affirmation to hold water in legal settings. Samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate an additional verification step.
In cases where samples test presumptively positive during Screening, supplementary hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at concentrations significantly lower than alternate methods, such as urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair distinction and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually involves the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing outshines urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities. One primary advantage is the longer detection window, allowing drug use to be identified up to 90 days back, compared to the shorter timeframe typical of urine tests. This extended window offers employers and other entities a more comprehensive view of substance use.
Furthermore, hair tests exhibit higher resistance to tampering. Unlike urine samples that can be adulterated to mask drug use, hair samples are collected under direct observation, making it difficult to interfere with the results. This ensures the integrity of the testing process and instills confidence in the outcomes provided.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is unmatched. In Storm Lake, IA, these tests offer comprehensive insight by detecting up to 90 days of drug use history. This extensive coverage surpasses other testing methods, which often only reveal short-term drug use.
Employers favor this method as it provides an in-depth view of an individual’s substance use. By offering a broader historical perspective, hair testing aids companies in making more informed decisions about applicants and current employees, ensuring a drug-free workplace environment.
In Storm Lake, IA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage. The method substantially reduces the likelihood of sample tampering, a common concern with other testing techniques like urine tests. Hair samples are difficult to adulterate due to their collection method, which is conducted under supervision.
This robust form of testing ensures reliable and trustworthy results, giving employers and legal entities peace of mind. By making adulteration nearly impossible, hair tests provide a level of confidence that is hard to achieve with other types of drug testing.
Access to convenient testing locations across the nation, including Storm Lake, IA, makes hair follicle testing services by Accredited Drug Testing highly accessible. With numerous centers available, individuals and companies can experience timely, hassle-free testing solutions.
Our local presence ensures that quick and straightforward access to drug testing is provided, easing the stress of travel and ensuring efficient service delivery. This accessibility enhances the testing experience, solidifying our reputation for excellence in drug testing services.
The process of hair follicle testing in Storm Lake, IA, is designed to be simple and confidential. Easy to order and straightforward to execute, the testing procedure respects the privacy concerns of all participants, ensuring a non-intrusive experience.
Results are provided swiftly and discreetly, with a focus on maintaining confidentiality from start to finish. This approach reassures individuals and companies that their sensitive information is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
Competitive pricing in Storm Lake, IA, makes hair follicle testing an affordable choice for businesses of all sizes. Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective solutions without compromising on the quality or accuracy of results, providing exceptional value to clients.
Additionally, the fast turnaround times ensure that companies can quickly receive the information they need to make informed decisions. This blend of affordability and speed makes hair follicle testing a preferred option for many organizations seeking reliable drug testing services.
Accuracy and Speed in Storm Lake, IA, are qualities associated with hair follicle drug tests. With unmatched precision in identifying substance use, these tests offer reliable results that reflect true drug or alcohol consumption. Unlike traditional testing methods, hair testing minimizes the risk of error, ensuring dependable outcomes for employers and individuals.
Not only are hair follicle tests more precise, but they also provide quick results. In today's fast-paced environment, the ability to get rapid feedback is crucial, especially when making informed decisions related to employment or legal compliance. The method's speed further solidifies its place as a leading choice in drug testing.
Employers in Storm Lake, IA, benefit from the use of hair follicle tests by ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method provides an accurate and thorough assessment of an employee's substance use history, aiding in the enforcement of company policies.
Peace of mind is also a significant gain for employers; hair testing contributes to a safer workplace by identifying individuals who may breach drug-free workplace guidelines. This, in turn, reduces legal risks and promotes a more secure work environment for all employees.
