Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair sample drug screening in Helena, Kentucky. Whether you need testing for drugs or alcohol, our specialty is hair-based assays, with facilities across all U.S. cities ready to perform them. Typically, a hair length of 1.5 to 2 inches from the head or body is necessary. These tests can determine the presence of drugs, ETG for alcohol, or other tailored hair analyses.
Over the years, there's been a shift towards using hair follicle tests for substance screening. Employers, legal entities, and Substance Abuse experts increasingly prefer these methods to the traditional urine tests. Organizations with strict no-drug policies, judicial bodies, and probation services use them for their broad detection span, which can reflect drug use for up to 90 days. The collection is monitored, making manipulation difficult, though urine tests remain superior for identifying recent 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.
As a robust methodology for detecting drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing has gained recognition. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers as it grows. When extracted close to the scalp, hair can deliver a detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and drug usage. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands equivalent to a #2 pencil's diameter, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the prime quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equal quantity of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean exclusively scalp hair. Body hair denotes any other hair type (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The testing laboratory process comprises four chief steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial processing of a specimen into a laboratory's database. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug presence in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that are provisionally positive during Screening undergo secondary confirmation.
When a sample shows a presumptively positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening presents challenges in performance.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is pursued via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicated as presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, alongside adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicles underneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Helena, KY
Hair follicle tests outshine traditional urine tests by offering superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine, hair testing provides comprehensive insights into substance usage over a prolonged period, making it more reliable. Its accuracy ensures that employers gain a true picture of employee or applicant habits.
Extended Detection Window in Helena, KY
Hair follicle testing provides an extended window for drug use detection, spanning up to 90 days. This gives employers a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history, surpassing the limited detection periods of urine tests. It's a reliable method for understanding long-term usage.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Helena, KY
Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the risk of tampering, offering reliable results that are nearly impossible to alter. This integrity in testing makes them highly preferable over methods susceptible to adulteration, ensuring that test outcomes remain trustworthy.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Helena, KY
Our nationwide network of testing centers, including those in Helena, KY, offers convenient access to drug testing services. Clients can expect a hassle-free experience with our local facilities, ensuring quick and easy service delivery.
Simple, Confidential Process in Helena, KY
We offer a simple and confidential process for ordering and completing hair tests in Helena, KY. Addressing privacy concerns, we ensure that the entire procedure from scheduling to receiving results is straightforward, confidential, and highly efficient for all clients.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Helena, KY
We focus on providing affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times for our hair follicle tests in Helena, KY. Our competitive pricing models offer excellent value and peace of mind, supporting companies of every size with swift and reliable testing solutions.
In Helena, KY, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are known for their precision in detecting substance use, delivering detailed insights swiftly. The accuracy of hair testing makes it superior to many other methods, ensuring that results are trusted and actionable in workplace and legal scenarios.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Helena, KY
Employers who use hair follicle testing are ensured compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and promoting safety. These tests deliver peace of mind by ensuring that substance use is accurately monitored and managed within the organization.