Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lowell, ME

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

17 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Lowell

Minutes Away, Test Today

7 Transalpine Rd9.84 miles

7 Transalpine Rd
Lincoln, ME 4457

175 W Broadway10.77 miles

175 W Broadway
Lincoln, ME 4457

303 Main St25.71 miles

303 Main St
Orono, ME 4473

30 Western Ave29.51 miles

30 Western Ave
East Millinocket, ME 4430

34 Gilman Rd29.67 miles

34 Gilman Rd
Bangor, ME 4401

900 Broadway Bldg 130.41 miles

900 Broadway Bldg 1
Bangor, ME 4401

186 Parkview Ave30.99 miles

186 Parkview Ave
Bangor, ME 4401

925 Union St Ste 431.82 miles

925 Union St Ste 4
Bangor, ME 4401

885 Union St Ste 21531.83 miles

885 Union St Ste 215
Bangor, ME 4401

899 Central St Ste 432.63 miles

899 Central St Ste 4
Millinocket, ME 4462

200 Somerset St32.82 miles

200 Somerset St
Millinocket, ME 4462

37 Commerce Park Ellsworth Business Park37.31 miles

37 Commerce Park Ellsworth Business Park
Ellsworth, ME 4605

43 Dwelley Ave37.54 miles

43 Dwelley Ave
Dover Foxcroft, ME 4426

201 Houlton Rd43.32 miles

201 Houlton Rd
Danforth, ME 4424

26 Main St Ste 247.23 miles

26 Main St Ste 2
Newport, ME 4953

34 Downeast Hwy47.28 miles

34 Downeast Hwy
Ellsworth, ME 4605

394 Bar Harbor Rd47.61 miles

394 Bar Harbor Rd
Trenton, ME 4605

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Lowell, Maine. For those seeking a hair drug or alcohol test, Accredited Drug Testing focuses on hair analysis and provides facilities across all cities nationwide for conducting these tests. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body can be used. Hair tests are capable of detecting drugs, alcohol, or other specified testing arrangements.

Recently, hair follicle drug tests have become a more common method for detecting substance use. Employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals now favor hair tests over traditional urine tests. This testing method is ideal for zero-tolerance workplaces, judicial courts, and probation conditions. Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, it requires direct observation during collection, and is highly resistant to tampering. However, for recent drug use within the last 5 days, urine tests remain the most precise.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug usage by trapping markers within the fiber of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide approximately up to a 3-month detection time frame for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, less prone to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp can provide 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, collecting 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a proportional amount of body hair may be taken. Head hair refers to scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key four steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the first processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This consists of ensuring that the sample was securely sealed and shipped, providing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid evaluation for drug use. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result from screening needs verification to be valid in a legal setting. Any samples that are initially positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive outcome, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a lower concentration than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples initially positive are cleansed before confirmation if required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is verified under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine testing which offers a shorter detection period.
  • Hard to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely hard, enhancing result accuracy.
  • Historical data provision: It offers an overview of drug usage patterns over a timeline, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

  • Cannot identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
  • Cost: Hair drug testing is usually more costly compared to other drug testing types.
  • Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine testing in Lowell, ME. One key benefit is its superior detection accuracy, capturing substance use over a broader timeframe, while urine tests usually indicate only recent use.

The reliability of hair testing makes it a preferred choice for detecting ongoing drug use, reducing the possibility of false negatives often associated with more conventional testing methods such as urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

With the ability to detect substance use for up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Lowell, ME offers employers a long-term view into an individual's drug history. This extensive detection window allows for a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s substance habits.

Employers benefit from the prolonged detection period, ensuring adherence to company policies and making informed hiring or retention decisions based on thorough evaluations of drug use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lowell, ME, hair follicle testing provides a significant advantage by minimizing the risk of tampering, guaranteeing the integrity of the sample. This makes it a reliable option for detecting substance use accurately.

The high resistance to adulteration ensures that results are trustworthy, leaving little room for manipulation or deceit compared to conventional testing methods which can be more easily compromised.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The availability of nationwide testing centers, including those in Lowell, ME, makes drug testing quick and convenient. Easy access to services ensures that individuals can complete testing processes without stress.

Our strategically located facilities accommodate various needs, making the experience hassle-free. Clients benefit from straightforward access to advanced testing technology across individual and corporate levels.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lowell, ME, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving results for hair follicle tests is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring user ease and privacy. These streamlined procedures cater to those who prioritize secure handling of personal information.

Clear instructions and a straightforward approach make navigating the testing process less daunting for users, addressing privacy concerns and providing confidence in the confidentiality of their results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Lowell, ME offers competitive pricing structures alongside fast turnaround times, delivering excellent value for businesses. The affordability aspect makes hair testing accessible without compromising quality.

Rapid results combined with cost-effective solutions enhance the testing experience, appealing to companies looking for efficient and effective ways to manage substance testing requirements smoothly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lowell, ME, the speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests ensure fast, reliable results. Their high level of accuracy provides confidence in determining substance use, making them an excellent choice for those needing timely and trustworthy testing outcomes.

The capability of hair tests to precisely identify drug use patterns contributes significantly to their effectiveness. This accuracy allows individuals and organizations to make informed decisions based on conclusive evidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Lowell, ME ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, offering peace of mind to employers over legal concerns and emphasizing workplace safety. Through rigorous testing methods, companies can rely on precise outcomes to maintain a drug-free environment.

This compliance reduces potential liabilities and supports a safer, healthier work environment, fostering confidence in both management and employees alike.

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.

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