Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bristol, ME

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

21 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Bristol

Minutes Away, Test Today

24b Old Route 18.35 miles

24b Old Route 1
Edgecomb, ME 4556

16 Wood Rd14.27 miles

16 Wood Rd
Somerville, ME 4348

270 State Rd17.72 miles

270 State Rd
West Bath, ME 4530

11 Medical Center Dr Ste 219.35 miles

11 Medical Center Dr Ste 2
Brunswick, ME 4011

15 Enterprise Dr Ste 20022.14 miles

15 Enterprise Dr Ste 200
Augusta, ME 4330

32 Birch St22.68 miles

32 Birch St
Rockland, ME 4841

439 Lewiston Rd24.28 miles

439 Lewiston Rd
Topsham, ME 4086

6 Glen Cove Dr24.61 miles

6 Glen Cove Dr
Rockport, ME 4856

10 Caldwell Rd27.56 miles

10 Caldwell Rd
Augusta, ME 4330

219 Capitol St Ste 228.25 miles

219 Capitol St Ste 2
Augusta, ME 4330

59 East Ave35.47 miles

59 East Ave
Lewiston, ME 4240

15 Gracelawn Rd 2nd Floor37.67 miles

15 Gracelawn Rd 2nd Floor
Auburn, ME 4210

250 Center St St. # 40337.81 miles

250 Center St St. # 403
Auburn, ME 4210

690 Minot Ave Ste 238.06 miles

690 Minot Ave Ste 2
Auburn, ME 4210

30 Belgrade Ave Ste A38.34 miles

30 Belgrade Ave Ste A
Auburn, ME 4210

149 North St42.07 miles

149 North St
Waterville, ME 4901

50 Sewall St Ste 30144.13 miles

50 Sewall St Ste 301
Portland, ME 4102

85 Western Ave Crossing Unit 3a44.82 miles

85 Western Ave Crossing Unit 3a
South Portland, ME 4106

254 Western Ave46.25 miles

254 Western Ave
South Portland, ME 4106

55 Spring St47.72 miles

55 Spring St
Scarborough, ME 4074

273 Payne Rd49.36 miles

273 Payne Rd
Scarborough, ME 4074

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments in Bristol, Maine. Specializing in hair analysis, our numerous nationwide centers can conduct these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body is needed. Hair testing allows examination for substances, alcohol/ETG, and tailored analyses.

Recently, hair follicle tests have become a common choice for drug testing. Many workplaces, legal systems, and substance programs favor them over standard urine tests. They are essential for places with strict drug-free policies and for probation monitoring. Their standout advantage is a detection timeline extending up to 90 days, coupled with observed sample collection that is hard to circumvent. However, for detecting recent drug use, within five days, urine tests maintain their efficacy.

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust instrument for uncovering substance use involving drugs and alcohol. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a developing hair strand, hair offers an extensive timeline of exposure to alcohol and other substances. When acquired near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period for up to three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

An ideal sample for both screening and confirmation is a 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, which provides 100mg of hair. For more extensive testing, such as EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In instances where scalp hair is lacking, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test outcome involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the primary handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This procedure verifies that the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any supplementary data input omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid examination for substance abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means of excluding drug use for most samples, any positive findings must undergo confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples marked presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further verification.

Should a sample show presumptively positive results during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. This phase withdraws drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge among methodologies.

The validation of any positive screening comes via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are rinsed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and conformity with the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine assessments offer a shorter detection span.
  • Tough to fake: Evading a hair drug assessment is exceedingly difficult, enhancing the accuracy of results.
  • Delivers historical insights: It charts a timeline of substance use, not just immediate usage.

Limitations:

  • Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
  • Expense: Hair drug evaluations tend to be pricier than other methods.
  • Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences may impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually evaluates the hair strand, not the scalp-rooted follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bristol, ME, hair follicle testing is head and shoulders above traditional urine tests. With superior accuracy and longer detection periods, it provides unmatched reliability.

Switching from urine to hair testing offers clear benefits. Hair tests are less prone to deception and give a comprehensive view of long-term substance abuse, making them the preferred choice.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Bristol, ME, is unparalleled for its extended detection window. Unlike other tests, it captures drug use history up to 90 days, offering deeper insight.

This testing method helps employers see a more complete picture of an individual's substance use over time, aiding in more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test in Bristol, ME, significantly minimizes sample tampering risks. This leads to trustworthy and indisputable results, giving stakeholders higher confidence.

The robustness of the hair analysis process ensures that tampering is almost impossible, safeguarding the test's integrity and outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Bristol, ME boasts convenient access to hair testing services through a nationwide network. This ease of access ensures that testing is swift and straightforward, reducing unnecessary wait times.

With testing centers across the country, receiving hair analysis is a hassle-free experience, accessible to all who require it.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bristol, ME, the hair testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From order initiation to receiving results, every step honors privacy and user-friendly handling.

This ensures that concerns about discretion and ease of use are addressed, making the testing experience seamless and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing in Bristol, ME, coupled with fast turnaround, makes hair follicle testing a top choice. The affordability ensures that companies of all sizes can benefit from prompt, reliable results.

Businesses find peace of mind knowing they're getting great value from a quick, efficient testing process with transparent pricing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bristol, ME, hair follicle tests promise fast and reliable outcomes. These tests boast high precision in identifying substance usage, offering a dependable method for ensuring accurate results.

The meticulous process of hair analysis ensures both speed and accuracy, distinguishing it from other testing methods. Individuals and employers alike appreciate this certainty in pinpointing substance use with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Bristol, ME employers gain assurance from hair follicle testing in maintaining drug-free workplaces. This method supports compliance with drug policies while minimizing legal risks.

By using hair follicle tests, employers can rest easy, knowing their workforce policy adherence is being rigorously ensured and enhancing workplace safety.

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.


Bristol Drug Testing

Quickly find trusted local drug testing centers in Bristol, ME — fast, convenient, and reliable every time!

Bristol DOT Drug Testing

Quickly find a local DOT drug testing center in Bristol, ME — fast, reliable, convenient nationwide service!

Bristol DNA Testing

DNA testing for legal and non-legal purposes including child support, and child custody around Bristol, ME.

Bristol Industry Training

Including specimen collector training, DER training, reasonable suspicion training and much more in Bristol, ME.v

Bristol Hair Drug Testing

Get fast, accurate hair drug testing at our convenient Bristol, ME locations—results you can trust, every time!

Bristol Alcohol Testing

Fast, reliable alcohol testing to keep your workplace safe and compliant every single day in Bristol, ME.

Bristol Drug Testing Services

Reliable nationwide drug testing services ensuring accuracy, compliance, and quick results for businesses and individuals in Bristol, ME.

Bristol 5 Panel Drug Test

Accurate 5 panel drug testing with fast, confidential results—trusted by Bristol, ME employers and individuals nationwide.

Bristol 10 Panel Drug Test

Comprehensive 10 panel drug testing with fast, reliable results—trusted for Bristol, ME workplace and personal testing needs.

Bristol On Site Drug Testing

Convenient on-site mobile drug testing with fast, reliable results—saving time while keeping your Bristol, ME workplace compliant.

Bristol DOT Physicals

Certified DOT physicals with quick, reliable exams to keep Bristol, ME drivers compliant and on the road with confidence.

DOT Consortium

Join our DOT consortium for hassle-free compliance, random testing management, and reliable driver safety solutions.


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

Fast service and friendly staff!

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

Habib Malik - 4/12/2025


(800) 221-4291