Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Whether you require a hair drug or alcohol test, our expertise lies in hair testing, and we have numerous locations across the nation equipped to conduct these tests. Typically, you need 1.5 to 2 inches of hair on your crown or body to proceed. Hair samples can be screened for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specialized testing needs.
Recently, there's been an uptick in using hair follicle drug tests for substance screening. Increasingly, employers, judicial bodies, and Substance Abuse experts prefer hair testing over traditional urine tests. Zero-tolerance employers, courts, and probationers are the main users of these tests, benefiting from their extensive detection window of up to 90 days, a supervised collection process, and immunity to tampering. For drug use within the last five days, however, urine tests offer the highest accuracy.
* 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 an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows, hair offers an extended historical record of alcohol and drug use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for specimen weighing is advised. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" exclusively refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the foundational step, where a sample is processed into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input not offered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most samples, a court-admissible positive screen requires further verification. Samples suggesting a positive result in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample indicate a positive result during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. At this phase, drug compounds are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than typical methods (like urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair drug screening's complexity and challenge.
Any positive screening outcomes are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation as deemed necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Gaithersburg, MD, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection periods and resistance to tampering make hair tests more reliable for employers seeking thorough drug screening solutions.
Hair follicle testing in Gaithersburg, MD, offers an extended detection window, monitoring drug use for up to 90 days. This broad timeframe allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, facilitating informed hiring decisions.
In Gaithersburg, MD, hair follicle drug tests provide a tamper-resistant method of testing. The substantial integrity of hair samples ensures trustworthy results, significantly minimizing the probability of adulteration and offering peace of mind to all involved.
Gaithersburg, MD, enjoys the convenience of nationwide accredited testing centers, making drug testing services accessible and straightforward. This broad network ensures there are no geographical hurdles, delivering seamless testing processes for all clients.
In Gaithersburg, MD, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, which ensures that individuals can navigate the testing phases—ordering, sampling, and receiving results—with ease, while confidently preserving their privacy.
Gaithersburg, MD, offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle testing. These affordable services provide exceptional value for organizations of various sizes, ensuring that prompt and cost-effective testing is available for all.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Gaithersburg, MD, make them stand out. With high accuracy, these tests are exceptional in identifying substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes.
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Gaithersburg, MD, employers can confidently adhere to workplace drug-free policies. By embracing this method, organizations can mitigate legal risks, all while fostering a safer and more productive working environment.
