Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments throughout Edgewater, Maryland. Whether you require a drug or alcohol test administered via hair, Accredited Drug Testing excels in this area with nationwide centers ready to conduct these analyses. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body are necessary for testing. Options include drug, alcohol/ETG, or other bespoke hair assessments.
Recently, the use of hair follicle drug testing has gained traction. Employers, judicial systems, and experts in substance abuse prefer hair tests over standard urine analyses. This method is particularly valued by entities with zero-tolerance drug policies, courts, and for those under probation. Key advantages include extended detection times of up to 90 days and resistance to manipulation, though urine tests remain the best for detecting very recent drug use within five 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 widely regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair provide a comprehensive history of substance use, as biomarkers are ensnared within the hair fibers as they grow. Hair that is gathered close to the scalp can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp will yield approximately 100mg of hair, which is considered an ideal amount for testing and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional parameters, and panels exceeding ten, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This stage includes confirming that the sample is sealed and transported correctly, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any supplementary data not included in the electronic chain of custody.
The Screening process is used for an initial assessment for substances of abuse. Although this step is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples with presumptively positive results from Screening must undergo a further confirmation.
If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial collection for the Extraction stage. During Extraction, substances are retrieved from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva); this makes hair drug screening a challenging methodology to execute.
For any positive screening outcome, Confirmation is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumed positive undergo a washing process before confirmation as needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized 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: While these tests are commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle located beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Outdoes Urine Testing Hair follicle testing in Edgewater, MD provides superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Their ability to detect substance use over an extended period makes them invaluable for employers seeking a thorough understanding of an individual's history, thus offering a more robust solution.
Extended Detection Window Hair follicle tests offer a significant advantage with their ability to identify drug use over an extended window, typically up to 90 days. This gives employers in Edgewater, MD a thorough insight into a prospective or current employee's drug history, aiding in making well-informed employment decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method One of the primary benefits of hair follicle drug testing in Edgewater, MD is the reduced capability for sample adulteration, presenting results that are reliable and trustworthy. This method minimizes the risk of manipulation, ensuring that outcomes are both solid and authentic.
Convenient Testing Centers The accessibility of numerous nationwide drug testing locations, including those in Edgewater, MD, ensures that testing is a simple and trouble-free process. Given the wide range of facilities available, quick and easy access to testing services is always at hand.
Simple and Confidential Process The hair follicle testing process in Edgewater, MD is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, every step emphasizes privacy and simplicity, mitigating concerns and enhancing user experience.
Affordable Pricing and Speedy Turnaround In Edgewater, MD, competitive pricing combined with fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing makes these services accessible to companies of all sizes. Providing value combined with speed offers peace of mind and cost-effective solutions for businesses.
Fast and Reliable Results are crucial for making informed decisions. In Edgewater, MD, hair follicle drug tests stand out with their high degree of precision, ensuring that substance use is accurately identified. Comprehensive analysis allows for swift feedback, providing employers with the dependable data they need to proceed confidently.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers Implementing hair follicle testing in Edgewater, MD helps companies adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This not only limits legal repercussions but also enhances the overall safety of the workplace environment, delivering tranquillity for employers.
