Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Charlotte, ME

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

4 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Charlotte

Minutes Away, Test Today

24 Hospital Ln11.09 miles

24 Hospital Ln
Calais, ME 4619

6 Lowell St11.62 miles

6 Lowell St
Calais, ME 4619

43 S Lubec Rd17.05 miles

43 S Lubec Rd
Lubec, ME 4652

70 Snare Creek Ln37.16 miles

70 Snare Creek Ln
Jonesport, ME 4649

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Providing comprehensive hair follicle drug analyses in Charlotte, Maine, Accredited Drug Testing is an expert in this testing method. Our centers across the nation can perform hair tests, which require 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp, or body hair may suffice. These tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or can be tailored for specific needs.

Recently, hair follicle drug tests have become more commonplace than traditional methods. Employers, the judicial system, and Substance Abuse experts often opt for hair tests over urine analyses. Zero-tolerance companies, courts, and probation officers favor hair testing for its longer detection period—up to 90 days—and reliability, making cheating nearly impossible, although urine tests remain superior for recent use detection.

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an efficacious method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of hair strands capture biomarkers, providing a lengthy record of substance use. When cut near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for substances like alcohol and drugs. This method of collection is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, which is the optimum quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for measurement is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair is an alternative. Here, head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug testing outcomes encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage, involving entering a sample into a lab’s system. This process ensures correct sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any essential data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for substances. Though a cost-effective method to mostly rule out drug usage, a positive screening result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples testing positive in Screening necessitate additional verification.

If a sample indicates a presumptive positive during Screening, subsequent hair is extracted from the specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, substances are isolated from hair at a lesser concentration than other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug analysis is the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples receive necessary cleansing before confirmation. The entire lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis reveals drug use up to 90 days back, in contrast to urine tests with shorter windows.
  • Resilient to cheating: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
  • Historical insights: It outlines a substance use pattern over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

  • Recent use undetectable: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
  • Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other methods.
  • Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the sub-scalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Charlotte, ME, the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing are evident. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing drug use over a longer period. This method is particularly beneficial for organizations, ensuring a comprehensive analysis that traditional urine tests cannot match.

Employers adhering to strict substance policies find hair testing more beneficial as it provides a wider detection window, thus mitigating the risk associated with the short detection period of urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

For employers in Charlotte, ME, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window far exceeding other methods. By tracing drug use up to 90 days back, it provides a detailed view of an individual's substance history, ensuring informed hiring and supervision decisions.

Such a prolonged detection period offers a more holistic and clear understanding of an individual's past drug use, making it invaluable in contexts where prolonged abstinence is critical.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Charlotte, ME businesses seeking a tamper-resistant testing method will find hair follicle tests exceptionally reliable. This method drastically reduces the chance of altering or adulterating samples, offering results that are beyond dispute.

Since hair samples are collected under observation and external contamination is nearly impossible, the integrity of results from hair follicle testing remains intact and unquestionable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key when it comes to drug testing, and in Charlotte, ME, our centers provide nationwide coverage, ensuring ease of access. Whether you're urban or rural, finding a testing center is hassle-free, allowing for swift, efficient service.

Our strategically located centers ensure expedient service delivery, making drug testing a seamless aspect of operations for organizations across diverse locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Charlotte, ME is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results through hair follicle tests respect privacy and involve minimal hassle, ensuring participants maintain their dignity throughout.

We ensure a simple, step-by-step guide that alleviates concerns about privacy, offering a user-friendly experience while maintaining trust and confidentiality at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Charlotte, ME, we offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times with our hair follicle tests. Businesses of any size can advantageously use our services without financial strains, ensuring quality testing without compromising budgets.

Our cost-effective solutions coupled with fast results provide an economic advantage, enabling corporate and legal entities to rely on our services for consistently efficient testing experiences.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When seeking fast, reliable outcomes in Charlotte, ME, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their precision. These tests are not only swift but also deliver highly accurate results in identifying substance use, making them an excellent choice for those needing quick and reliable verification of drug or alcohol use.

The accuracy of hair follicle testing is unmatched, with the ability to determine substance presence with high precision. This accuracy ensures that businesses and professionals can make informed decisions based on dependable testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing brings peace of mind and compliance for employers in Charlotte, ME. This non-invasive method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, and its accuracy helps mitigate legal risks, while also enhancing workplace safety by ensuring substance-free environments.

Adopting such reliable testing methods reduces liability and underscores a commitment to a healthy, safe workplace, fulfilling both legal and ethical standards.

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.


Charlotte Drug Testing

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

Charlotte DOT Drug Testing

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

Charlotte DNA Testing

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

Charlotte Industry Training

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

Charlotte Hair Drug Testing

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

Charlotte Alcohol Testing

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

Charlotte Drug Testing Services

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

Charlotte 5 Panel Drug Test

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

Charlotte 10 Panel Drug Test

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

Charlotte On Site Drug Testing

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

Charlotte DOT Physicals

Certified DOT physicals with quick, reliable exams to keep Charlotte, 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