Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Amherst, ME

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

15 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Amherst

Minutes Away, Test Today

37 Commerce Park Ellsworth Business Park11.18 miles

37 Commerce Park Ellsworth Business Park
Ellsworth, ME 4605

303 Main St15.78 miles

303 Main St
Orono, ME 4473

34 Gilman Rd19.31 miles

34 Gilman Rd
Bangor, ME 4401

186 Parkview Ave19.59 miles

186 Parkview Ave
Bangor, ME 4401

900 Broadway Bldg 120.70 miles

900 Broadway Bldg 1
Bangor, ME 4401

34 Downeast Hwy21.10 miles

34 Downeast Hwy
Ellsworth, ME 4605

394 Bar Harbor Rd21.52 miles

394 Bar Harbor Rd
Trenton, ME 4605

885 Union St Ste 21521.96 miles

885 Union St Ste 215
Bangor, ME 4401

925 Union St Ste 422.00 miles

925 Union St Ste 4
Bangor, ME 4401

7 Transalpine Rd36.37 miles

7 Transalpine Rd
Lincoln, ME 4457

175 W Broadway37.30 miles

175 W Broadway
Lincoln, ME 4457

45 Herrick Rd38.03 miles

45 Herrick Rd
Southwest Harbor, ME 4679

70 Snare Creek Ln41.43 miles

70 Snare Creek Ln
Jonesport, ME 4649

26 Main St Ste 244.82 miles

26 Main St Ste 2
Newport, ME 4953

43 Dwelley Ave49.33 miles

43 Dwelley Ave
Dover Foxcroft, ME 4426

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments in Amherst, Maine. If you're in need of a hair drug or alcohol examination, our expertise in hair testing spans across the nation with testing sites available in every city. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair is required from the head or body for testing. Hair analysis is capable of detecting drugs, alcohol/ETG, or tailored testing options.

Recently, hair follicle drug tests have become a more prevalent method for detecting drugs. Various employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse experts are opting for hair tests over traditional urine methods. This test is favored by employers with strict drug policies, courts, and for those on probation. A significant benefit is its ability to detect drug use over a longer period, up to 90 days, with an observed process that's difficult to tamper with. Nevertheless, urine tests remain optimal for identifying recent use within the last 5 days.

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can provide nearly a 3-month detection timeline for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, considered the optimal sample for diagnosing and validating. For EtG, extras, and/or analyses surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advocate for weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. Speaking of head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair includes all other hair variants (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases engaged in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This entails confirming that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for abuse drugs. While Screening is a budget-friendly means to eliminate drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be permissible in legal proceedings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in alternate methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
  • Challenging to deceive: It is exceedingly challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring results are more precise.
  • Offers historical insights: It can provide a pattern of drug usage across an extended duration, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

  • Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
  • Expense: Hair drug tests are generally more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
  • Inconsistencies in results: Elements such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Amherst, ME, the superiority of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests is evident. Hair testing provides a broader detection window, showcasing its unmatched detection accuracy and reliability.

With its ability to detect drug use over both short and extended periods, hair testing offers benefits that traditional urine tests simply cannot match.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing stands out for its extended detection window, a distinct advantage for employers in Amherst, ME looking for comprehensive substance records.

This method is capable of tracking drug use up to 90 days, offering a thorough overview of potential substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Amherst, ME residents appreciate the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing, which significantly reduces the possibility of sample alteration, ensuring trustworthy results.

Its ability to provide reliable outcomes makes it an essential tool in employment and legal scenarios where accurate testing is crucial.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Easily accessible testing solutions in Amherst, ME and nationwide make scheduling a drug test with us straightforward and quick.

Our extensive network of testing centers guarantees hassle-free access to drug testing services anywhere you may be.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Amherst, ME, Accredited Drug Testing provides a simple and confidential process for drug testing, addressing any privacy concerns individuals may have.

From ordering the test to gathering samples and receiving results, every step is designed for ease of use and confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and rapid result turnaround make drug testing in Amherst, ME affordable and efficient, fitting into budgets of all sizes.

Our commitment to cost-effectiveness ensures that quality testing services are accessible without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers unmatched precision and speed, ensuring that results are both fast and reliable. Its high accuracy in identifying substance use makes it a preferred choice in Amherst, ME.

Employers benefit from the swift turnaround of results, minimizing downtime and aiding in quick decision-making regarding potential hires or current employees.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Amherst, ME ensures companies remain compliant with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing the risk of legal complications.

Promoting safety, this testing method brings peace of mind to employers by ensuring a secure and substance-free work environment.

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.


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Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

Customer Reviews

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It was easy to make the arrangements to get to someone in regards to renewing my DOT medical certificate. They took care of everything over the phone which made my experience hassle free. I will definitely be using them again and you should too.

Jim Raymond - 10/18/2024

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Detricia was super helpful in making sure that the drug test is sent my worker for was the right one I needed for my company to be compliant with my customers drug test requirements.

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