In Scarborough, ME, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services. Specializing in both drug and alcohol hair tests, our centers are conveniently located across the nation, facilitating efficient testing. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head is needed, but body hair can also suffice. Tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other specific substances.
These days, hair follicle drug tests are increasingly favored over traditional urine tests. They're mandated by many employers, courts, and substance abuse specialists. Employers with strict anti-drug policies, courts, and probation programs prefer them. Their key advantage is a longer detection window, up to 90 days, with a supervised collection process that's almost impossible to manipulate. Yet, for drug use within the past five days, urine tests remain the most reliable.
* You must register by phone or online to receive your donor pass/registration prior to proceeding to the testing center. You must bring a valid government issued ID along with the registration/barcode number which was sent to you by email.
When you're searching for hair drug testing near me or hair drug testing locations, we provide a simple and convenient process to find a drug and alcohol testing location near you that is certified to provide all of your drug and alcohol testing needs.
Hair analysis has gained recognition as an impactful approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains an extended record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand fibers. Obtained near the root, hair samples can reveal substance usage for roughly a 3-month period. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and it is convenient for shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) near the scalp produces 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler's scale for weighing. If head hair is lacking, a comparable amount of body hair may be collected. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning phase, the sample is entered into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample is appropriately sealed and shipped, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and additional data input is completed if not provided via an electronic custody chain.
Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening offers a cost-effective means to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive Screening necessitates confirmation for court legitimacy. Samples that are provisionally positive in Screening must undergo verification.
When provisional positivity is determined at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, substances are withdrawn from hair at lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably complex.
Verification of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All provisional positive samples undergo washing prior as necessary before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being labeled "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing
In Scarborough, ME, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests due to its extended detection window and reliability. While urine tests are limited to shorter detection periods, hair samples can reveal substance use history over the past 90 days, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug habits.
Reliability is another critical advantage; hair testing minimizes the risk of tampering that is more plausible with urine tests. Together, these factors ensure a superior level of accuracy and assurance for employers and legal authorities seeking trustworthy results.
Expanded Detection Creates Awareness
In Scarborough, ME, hair follicle testing is praised for its ability to uncover drug use over an extensive 90-day period. This broad detection capacity helps employers gain a more informed perspective on a prospective or current employee's substance history. Understanding the long-term trends is invaluable for maintaining a drug-free work environment.
The longer detection window not only aids managers in mitigating risks but also provides a more complete picture of an individual's lifestyle, thereby supporting health and safety initiatives within organizations.
Hair follicle drug testing, highly favored in Scarborough, ME, significantly diminishes sample adulteration risks. Its standout advantage is its resistance to tampering compared to urine tests. Collecting hair in a controlled and monitored environment ensures sample integrity and authenticity, generating trustworthy results.
This reliable testing method validates disciplinary actions for employers, courts, and institutions by producing credible results. As tampering becomes obsolete, confidence in the testing process is undisturbed, securing an organization’s credibility.
Convenience reigns for those in Scarborough, ME, with accessible testing centers nationwide. Locally and beyond, these centers enable straightforward, efficient testing experiences. Hair follicle testing coordinates local ease with national reach, ensuring immediate access to essential testing services.
This expansive network supports individuals and employers alike with effortless arrangements that save time and cut stress. Local accessibility epitomizes the fusion of national resources with personalized service delivery.
In Scarborough, ME, the simplicity and confidentiality of hair follicle testing assure users of a discreet, straightforward experience. Ordering and attending tests remain private, with results promptly delivered, addressing privacy concerns confidently.
Streamlined procedures efface complexities, supporting organizations and individuals in upholding their standards unobtrusively. The testing process respects confidentiality from sample collection to result reception, reflecting modern priority towards personal privacy.
Affordable pricing and swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing a valuable choice for those in Scarborough, ME. Cost-effective solutions ensure that businesses of all sizes can access dependable testing without exceeding budgets. Swift results support timely decision-making in professional settings.
Balancing economic considerations and rapid feedback strengthens businesses by reinforcing prompt, informed choices based on trustworthy data. This ensures efficient allocation of resources and prolonged workplace safety and policy adherence.
Scarborough, ME, individuals can depend on hair follicle testing for quick, precise, and reliable substance detection. Its thorough detection ability ensures accurate assessment of long-term substance use. Speedy results mean efficient decision-making processes for concerned parties, bolstering its status as a preferred testing method.
Accuracy is the forefront of the hair testing method. Tests conducted provide a highly sensitive analysis, capturing even subtle traces of substances. This precision in detecting drug use makes it a formidable tool for employers, enabling them to make informed determinations based on solid evidence.
Hair testing represents compliance and tranquility for employers in Scarborough, ME. By integrating it into their protocols, companies adhere to drug-free workplace policies, reducing the potential for legal complications. Employers endorse a safer work environment, leading to productivity boosts and morale improvements.
Employers, assured of accurate results from tamper-proof testing, can rest easy knowing their HR decisions are grounded in certainty. The peace of mind derived from compliant, reliable testing protects businesses from avoidable incidents.