Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Bethesda, Maryland. When you require a hair drug or alcohol assessment, Accredited Drug Testing excels in hair-based exams and has facilities available in cities nationwide to conduct hair tests. Approximately 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head's crown or body is typically needed. Hair analyses can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specialized testing.
The use of hair follicle drug testing has seen an upswing in recent times. A growing number of employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse experts now opt for hair testing compared to the traditional urine approach. Employers with zero-tolerance drug policies, legal courts, and individuals on probation frequently utilize hair follicle drug tests. The key advantage of this testing is its extended detection window, offering up to a 90-day view of drug use, with observed sample collection, reducing chances of tampering. Conversely, urine tests remain more accurate within a five-day window following substance use.
* 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 become recognized as a highly effective method for identifying both drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within the strands as it grows, offering a prolonged timeline of substance intake. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reflect drug and alcohol use over roughly a 90-day span. It is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment composed of around 200 hairs (approximately equivalent in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of sample, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. Measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If head hair is unavailable, a similar quantity from body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where the sample is incorporated into the lab’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary examination for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use for most samples, the findings must be confirmed to be valid in legal situations. Any samples showing a presumptive positive result during Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample is indicated as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is used from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive result during screening is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positivity are cleansed as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation for ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Bethesda, MD, the benefits of hair follicle testing over urine testing are manifold. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy and increased reliability, proving superior in identifying drug use over extended periods. While urine tests may detect recent use, hair tests provide a broader scope, catching substances up to 90 days post-consumption, thereby furnishing employers with a more robust safety net.
With an extended detection frame reaching up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Bethesda, MD offers employers a meticulous view into an individual's drug use history. This extended window allows for a comprehensive understanding of a candidate or current employee's substance habits, providing clarity and aiding in informed decision-making regarding workplace safety and policy adherence.
Hair follicle testing in Bethesda, MD stands as a tamper-proof method, ensuring sample integrity and authenticity. Unlike other tests susceptible to manipulation, hair tests greatly mitigate the risks of adulteration, furnishing employers and adjudicators with trustworthy results that anchor decisions in authenticity and reliability.
With convenient testing facilities scattered throughout Bethesda, MD, and nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing is never a hassle. These widespread locations provide quick and seamless service, ensuring that your testing requirements are met efficiently and with ease, no matter your geographic position.
The hair follicle testing procedure in Bethesda, MD is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting the sample and receiving the results, each step safeguards privacy while ensuring ease. This approach addresses privacy concerns, cementing trust and fostering simplicity throughout the testing experience.
Our competitive pricing and speedy service in Bethesda, MD make hair follicle testing a valuable choice. Businesses, regardless of size, benefit from cost-effective solutions and rapid result delivery, ensuring that economic considerations are well-balanced with the accuracy and reliability of the service provided.
Hair follicle drug tests in Bethesda, MD stand out for their swiftness and reliability. Their exacting nature ensures substance use is detected with the highest precision, providing reassurance to employers and authorities alike. The implementation of this testing not only confirms drug use but does so with rapid turnaround times, making it a preferred choice for those seeking dependable results quickly.
Incorporating hair follicle testing as part of workplace drug policy in Bethesda, MD assures employers of compliance and safety. By adhering to such testing, businesses significantly diminish legal risks while promoting a drug-free environment, thereby enhancing workplace security and offering peace of mind to all stakeholders involved.
