Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug screening services in Cottage City, Maryland. If a hair or alcohol test is necessary, Accredited Drug Testing excels in hair testing, with centers in every city Nationwide capable of conducting such tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body are needed. Hair tests offer analysis for drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other tailored options.
In recent years, drug testing methods have increasingly incorporated hair follicle testing. Many employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse experts now mandate hair tests over traditional urine tests. Hair follicle tests are used by zero-tolerance employers, the legal system, and those on probation. A major advantage is the extended drug detection window, up to 90 days, with observed collection, making it difficult to tamper. However, urine tests remain the most accurate for recent drug use within 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 analysis is now recognized as a formidable approach for detecting alcohol and drug usage. The fibers of the growing hair strand trap biomarkers, thus providing a prolonged history of substance consumption when acquiring hair close to the scalp. This method offers up to about a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and easy to dispatch.
A sample of 1.5 inches, amounting to roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the girth of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is perfect for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair denote only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process of lab handling for a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's framework. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any further data entry omitted from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening functions as an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient manner to eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive Screening outcome requires Confirmation for court acceptance. Presumptively positive Screening samples necessitate an additional confirmation.
Should a sample be presumptive positive during the Screening, more hair is drawn from the original sample for the Extraction stage. In this step, drugs are retrieved from the hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is undertaken using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS protocols. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to Confirmation, as needed. The entire lab sequence from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Beats Urine Testing: In Cottage City, MD, hair follicle tests offer superior detection rates compared to traditional urine tests. They provide a more reliable overview of long-term substance use, where urine tests often fall short in detecting usage beyond a few days.
The reliability of hair testing stems from its extended detection window, coupled with minimal risk of tampering, making it a preferred choice among many employers and authorities seeking certainty and integrity in drug testing protocols.
Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing allows for substance use detection over up to 90 days. This expansive detection period in Cottage City, MD, offers employers an in-depth understanding of an individual's substance use history, far surpassing the limitations of other testing methods.
With a longer retrospective insight into drug use, employers gain clarity on an individual's habits, enabling informed decisions in their hiring and retention processes, thus reinforcing workplace safety and accountability.
Tamper-Resistant Testing: Hair follicle drug tests significantly minimize the possibility of sample tampering, offering reliable results in Cottage City, MD. The integrity of the sample collection process is maintained, ensuring the validity of test outcomes.
For employers and authorities, this means greater assurance and confidence in the results obtained, as hair tests are less susceptible to adulteration compared to other testing methods, safeguarding the testing process's credibility.
Convenient Testing Locations: Our nationwide and local centers in Cottage City, MD, make accessing our testing services seamless and stress-free. Whether locally or across the country, our clinics ensure testing is never an inconvenience.
Employers and individuals benefit from our widespread presence, guaranteeing that the required tests are accessible with nominal effort, simplifying the process and expediting the path to obtaining crucial testing information.
Simple and Confidential Process: Our hair follicle testing in Cottage City, MD, ensures a straightforward and confidential procedure. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is designed to be intuitive and protective of personal information.
Privacy concerns are paramount, and we commit to maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality, reinforcing user trust and satisfaction with the testing process, ensuring a stress-free experience for all involved parties.
Affordable Pricing: We offer competitive pricing in Cottage City, MD, ensuring companies of all sizes receive excellent value for their investment in drug testing services. Coupled with fast turnaround times, our service offers cost-efficiency and reliability.
Providing peace of mind, our quick and economical testing solutions support businesses in maintaining their operational integrity without sacrificing budget or time, solidifying our commitment to affordability and quality service.
Fast and Accurate Results: Hair follicle testing in Cottage City, MD, provides quick and precise detection of substance usage. The advanced methodologies used ensure high accuracy, offering reliable insights into an individual's drug use history, thus giving employers confidence in their hiring and monitoring processes.
There's no longer a need to wait endlessly for drug test outcomes. With hair follicle testing, results are generated rapidly, maintaining the same standards of accuracy and dependability, making it an ideal choice for time-sensitive scenarios.
Compliance and Peace of Mind: Utilizing hair follicle testing in Cottage City, MD, ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced workplace safety, fostering a conducive environment for productivity.
Maintaining a drug-free workplace is crucial for many businesses. Hair testing supports compliance and offers peace of mind, knowing the testing method aligns with legal expectations and promotes a secure working atmosphere.