Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bridgewater, ME

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

6 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Bridgewater

Minutes Away, Test Today

23 North St Ste 4a19.67 miles

23 North St Ste 4a
Presque Isle, ME 4769

66 Spruce St Ste 420.28 miles

66 Spruce St Ste 4
Presque Isle, ME 4769

59 Bangor St21.07 miles

59 Bangor St
Houlton, ME 4730

163 Van Buren Rd31.52 miles

163 Van Buren Rd
Caribou, ME 4736

6 N Carolina Rd Ste B Loring Commerce Center36.43 miles

6 N Carolina Rd Ste B Loring Commerce Center
Limestone, ME 4750

15 Hartford St40.25 miles

15 Hartford St
Patten, ME 4765

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

In Bridgewater, Maine, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing solutions. If you're seeking a hair or alcohol test, our expertise in hair testing is unmatched, with facilities across the nation ready to conduct the test. Typically, hair from the crown or body, measuring 1.5 to 2 inches, is sufficient. Hair analysis can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized for specific needs.

Recently, the preference for drug testing has shifted towards hair follicle tests. Employers, courts, and Substance Abuse professionals now often favor these over traditional urine tests. Those with zero-tolerance policies, legal entities, and probation officers utilize hair follicle tests for their extended detection window, lasting up to 90 days. Tests are done under observation and are difficult to circumvent. However, for identifying recent drug use within the past 5 days, urine tests remain more precise.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a potent means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When gathered from close to the scalp, hair can offer about a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is effortless to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is missing, an identical volume of body hair can be gathered. Only scalp hair is referenced when mentioning head hair. Body hair indicates all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome encompasses four crucial phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This process confirms that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to rule out drug use in most samples, any positive screening result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening demand additional affirmation.

If a sample receives a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any presumptive positive result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation when necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
  • Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely tough, ensuring more precise results.
  • Supplies historical data: It can provide a timeline of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

  • Incapable of detecting recent usage: It generally takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
  • Price: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
  • Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Bridgewater, ME, hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests in many ways. With its superior detection accuracy, hair testing offers reliable results, making it an ideal choice for employers enforcing strict drug-free policies.

Hair follicle tests are advantageous for their extended detection window, chronicling up to 90 days of drug use. They provide a thorough analysis compared to the brief detection period of urine tests, ensuring no recent use escapes detection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
In Bridgewater, ME, hair follicle testing stands out for its extensive detection period. While other tests detect drugs for mere days, hair tests cover up to 90 days, offering a robust analysis of an individual's substance history.

This lengthy detection period provides employers with an overview of patterns in drug use, ensuring comprehensive background checks for ongoing safety and compliance within the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Bridgewater, ME takes advantage of hair follicle tests due to their resistance to tampering. These tests offer reliable results by reducing the risk of adulteration, ensuring sample integrity.

Using robust collection methods and difficult-to-alter samples, hair tests provide trustworthy outcomes. Employers can rely on consistent results that uphold testing program integrity without fear of deception.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Bridgewater, ME residents enjoy easy access to drug testing with numerous nationwide centers at their disposal. These locations provide quick, accessible, and efficient testing services without the hassle.

Taking advantage of expansive network coverage, individuals find it convenient to obtain necessary testing services. This accessibility ensures prompt testing, accommodating busy schedules and offering seamless service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Bridgewater, ME, the process for hair follicle drug testing is straightforward and discreet. From ordering the test to receiving confidential results, the emphasis is on privacy and ease of use.

Employers and individuals value the unobtrusive and simple process that safeguards personal information. By maintaining this confidentiality, the service ensures client trust and satisfaction at each stage of testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Bridgewater, ME's hair follicle testing services are known for both reasonable pricing and timely results. Companies of all sizes appreciate the excellent value and quick turnaround times provided.

Affordable rates combined with efficient processing make hair testing a cost-effective solution. Businesses benefit from rapid, accurate results, facilitating peace of mind and effective workforce management.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Bridgewater, ME, hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and reliable results. With their high precision, these tests accurately determine drug use, offering confidence in results. The superior accuracy of hair tests ensures that substance use is effectively identified.

Employers and organizations benefit from the speed of hair follicle testing, receiving timely insights into potential drug use. This efficiency helps maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
In Bridgewater, ME, hair follicle testing helps maintain compliance with workplace drug policies, offering peace of mind to employers. By utilizing hair testing, legal risks are minimized, contributing to overall workplace safety.

Employers benefit from adherence to drug-free requirements, ensuring a secure and productive work environment. This testing method supports harmonious business operations by mitigating the risk of substance abuse in the workforce.

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

Hassle Free Experience

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

Super Helpful

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.

Kevin Howell - 12/19/2024

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Fast service and friendly staff! Could not recommend enough for drug testing services.

Habib Malik - 4/12/2025


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