Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Bel Air North, Maryland. For those seeking a hair drug or alcohol test, we are experts in hair testing, with centers nationwide capable of performing such tests. In most cases, a hair length of 1.5 to 2 inches from the crown or other body hair is necessary. Hair analyses can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized for specific testing needs.
Recently, drug testing methods increasingly include hair follicle tests. More employers, courts, and Substance Abuse professionals opt for hair over standard urine tests. Employers with zero-tolerance drug policies, courts, and probation officers prefer these tests due to their benefits, such as a detection window of up to 90 days and near impossibility of cheating. Nevertheless, urine tests remain most accurate for detecting recent drug use in the past 5 days.
* 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 is increasingly viewed as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair reveals up to approximately a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, addons, and/or beyond 10 panel tests, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. It's advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be taken. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not handled by an electronic custody chain system.
Screening involves an initial rapid drug misuse check. Although Screening offers a cost-effective means to dismiss drug use for many samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Presumptive positive samples in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample presumptively test positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening a challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bel Air North, MD
Hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests with its superior detection accuracy. Hair testing can identify substance use over a longer timeframe, offering more reliability and less chance of tampering compared to traditional methods.
Extended Detection Window in Bel Air North, MD
The hair follicle method offers a longer detection period, up to 90 days. This extensive window allows employers to have a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bel Air North, MD
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces tampering risks. As a reliable testing method, it provides credible results that are hard to adulterate, ensuring test integrity.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bel Air North, MD
Our extensive network of testing sites ensures quick and convenient service access. This nationwide convenience is coupled with local testing availability.
Simple, Confidential Process in Bel Air North, MD
The hair testing process is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease for ordering, taking, and receiving test results.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bel Air North, MD
Competitive pricing and quick turnarounds highlight the value of hair follicle testing, appealing to businesses regardless of their size or budget.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bel Air North, MD
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and quick results. They provide high accuracy levels, effectively detecting a range of substances, giving employers confidence in the testing process.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bel Air North, MD
Hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigates legal risks, and enhances safety, providing peace of mind to employers.
