In Springfield, Maine, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug examination services. If you require a hair drug or alcohol analysis, Accredited Drug Testing is proficient in hair testing, with centers in cities across the nation ready to perform your test. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body will suffice. Hair analyses can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be adjusted for other specialized testing needs.
Recently, hair follicle testing has become a more prevalent method for conducting drug tests. Various employers, the judicial system, and substance abuse experts are opting for hair drug tests instead of the standard urine option. Employers with zero-tolerance policies, courts, and probationers often rely on hair tests because they offer a longer drug detection window of up to 90 days, ensure accurate collections, and are virtually tamper-proof. However, for recent drug use within five days, urine tests remain the most precise.
* 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 testing has become recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol use. The unique structure of hair enables it to encapsulate biomarkers within the growing hair shaft, preserving a record of alcohol and drug consumption over a long term. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. Its ease of collection, resistance to tampering, and simplistic shipping make it a practical option.
To obtain an ideal sample for examination and verification, a 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair. For EtG enhancements and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Measuring the sample on a jeweler's scale is suggested. Should scalp hair not be present, the equivalent amount of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The comprehensive procedure for processing a drug test result in a lab consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves confirming that the sample has been adequately sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any required data input not covered by an automated chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. While it offers a cost-effective method for dismissing drug use in most samples, any positive results during Screening require confirmation to stand as valid evidence in court. Only those samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening need further confirmation.
In cases of a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. During this phase, substances are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than those in other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging approach.
Confirmation of any positive results during Screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo a washing procedure as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Springfield, ME, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests. One of the foremost advantages is its superior detection accuracy across a longer timeframe, unmasking drug use even after weeks or months. This contrasts with urine tests, which may only capture recent drug activity, offering a restricted snapshot of substance use behaviors.
Hair testing is more reliable, providing a robust analysis not easily obscured by temporary cessation of drug use. It is preferred by many organizations seeking real insight into an individual’s drug use history, showcasing its advantage over urine testing's limitations.
Hair follicle testing in Springfield, ME, excels with its extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use history. This capability grants employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use, far exceeding the shorter timeframe available with other methods. Hair tests deliver in-depth insight into long-term patterns of drug use.
This prolonged detection ability is invaluable for organizations that need trusted evaluations of potential employees or current staff, providing a full perspective on their substance use habits and ensuring informed decision-making.
Hair follicle testing in Springfield, ME, provides a significant reduction in the likelihood of sample tampering. Its collection method prevents many forms of adulteration and cheating that can compromise test integrity, ensuring results remain reliable and trustworthy. This level of security is crucial for maintaining the authenticity of the testing process.
By relying on a process that is hard to manipulate, employers and courts can have confidence in the results they receive, making hair testing a dependable choice in preventing false negatives caused by sample tampering.
Springfield, ME, benefits from the convenient access to numerous nationwide testing centers, providing ease and efficiency for hair follicle testing services. This broad network ensures that both local and traveling individuals can easily obtain testing without the hassle of distant travel or long wait times.
The extensive availability of testing locations means quick access and a streamlined experience, providing users with the ease of obtaining the necessary services without inconvenience, which is crucial for efficiency in meeting urgent testing requirements.
Ordering and taking hair follicle tests in Springfield, ME, is a simple and confidential process. From the moment you schedule your appointment to receiving your results, each step respects your privacy and maintains strict confidentiality. This streamlined procedure alleviates any concerns about personal information being exposed.
The secure handling of test samples and results ensures that individuals can confidentially complete the process, fostering trust in the comprehensive and private nature of the service while ensuring ease of use for all users.
In Springfield, ME, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing accompanied by fast turnaround times. This combination provides exceptional value for businesses of diverse sizes, ensuring that companies can effectively manage their drug testing needs without financial strain.
The affordability of these tests, along with the quick results delivery, ensures that organizations not only receive value for their investment but also gain prompt insights that support proactive human resource management and policy enforcement.
Hair follicle drug tests in Springfield, ME, provide unparalleled precision and swiftness in results. These tests are highly accurate in detecting a wide range of substances, offering confidence to employers and legal entities in the validity of the results. The streamlined process ensures that results are delivered quickly, thereby minimizing downtime and facilitating timely decisions for all involved parties.
Employers and legal professionals require fast and accurate test outcomes, and hair follicle testing delivers just that. The results are processed using advanced technologies that ensure accuracy without compromising on speed. This reliability in testing helps support workplace safety and legal compliance with minimal delay.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Springfield, ME, offers employers the peace of mind stemming from assured compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It helps mitigate legal risks by providing accurate, tamper-resistant results, vital for maintaining a safe and productive work environment free from drug-related incidents.
Employers can rely on this testing method to reinforce adherence to company policies, thus enhancing workplace safety and fostering a culture of responsibility and health among employees, reducing potential liabilities.
