Accredited Drug Testing offers an extensive range of hair follicle drug testing services in Waterville, Iowa. Whether you require a hair drug or alcohol test, we excel in hair testing with centers in cities across the country that are equipped to conduct these tests. A minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body is generally required. These tests can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other tailored hair testing solutions.
Over recent years, hair follicle drug testing has become increasingly commonplace. Employers, legal systems, and substance abuse experts often opt for hair testing over the traditional urine test. It's particularly favored by employers with strict no-drug-use policies and the legal system. The major advantage is its extended detection period of up to 90 days. The sample collection is supervised, making it nearly impossible to tamper with. However, urine tests remain more precise for recent consumption, 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 evaluations are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository of historical drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken from the scalp, samples can indicate usage for nearly a three-month period. Hair samples are easy to obtain, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) will yield 100mg — the optimal sample weight for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests and those exceeding ten panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Summary
The key stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the specimen is initially processed into the laboratory's system. This phase includes ensuring the sample was securely sealed and correctly dispatched, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any missing information not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial evaluation for drug substances. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug use in the majority of cases, positive results must be validated to be used legally. Samples showing a presumptive positive from Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a specimen is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair at much lower levels compared to other testing methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual examination is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Outperforms Urine Tests in Waterville, IA
Hair follicle testing offers superior drug detection compared to urine tests. This method excels in both accuracy and reliability, especially for those with stringent substance policies.
Extended Detection Window in Waterville, IA
One of the most significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days. This extended window offers a comprehensive look into a person's substance usage history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing in Waterville, IA
Hair follicle tests are known for their resilience to tampering, ensuring reliable results. This testing method significantly reduces the likelihood of adulterated samples.
Convenient Testing Locations in Waterville, IA
Our network of testing centers nationwide, including Waterville, ensures ease of access to drug testing services, making the process quick and handy.
Simple and Confidential Process in Waterville, IA
The hair testing process is straightforward and discreet, guaranteeing privacy and simplicity from ordering to receiving results.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Waterville, IA
We offer cost-effective pricing structures and swift result turnaround times, providing excellent value to organizations of any size.
Fast and Reliable Results in Waterville, IA
Hair follicle drug tests provide precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in substance use detection. This method is lauded for quick, dependable results, verifying instances of drug use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Waterville, IA
Adopting hair follicle tests helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and bolstering workplace safety.