Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle analysis in Glen Echo, Maryland. If a hair or alcohol test is required, we specialize in hair analysis, with facilities available in every major city Nationwide to conduct such tests. A sample typically requires 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body. Tests can check for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be tailored for other hair analysis needs.
Recently, hair follicle analysis has become a more prevalent method for drug testing. Employers, courts, and substance abuse experts are increasingly choosing hair tests over traditional urine analysis. Employers with strict no-drug policies, courts, and probationers often rely on hair tests for longer detection periods, usually up to 90 days, ensuring test integrity. Nonetheless, for recent drug use within the past 5 days, urine tests remain most precise.
* 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.
Analyzing hair has become recognized as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair encapsulates a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use over nearly a 90-day span. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil), gathered closest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the perfect quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale for accuracy. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair refers to all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The key stages in a lab's drug testing method include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first step where a specimen is integrated into the lab's system. This step checks that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, generates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any missing data not captured by an electronic chain-of-custody system.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to discard drug usage in most samples, any positive result should be verified to be legally defendable. Samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
When a sample shows potential positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair from the original batch is prepared for Extraction. This phase aims to draw out drugs from hair at much lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly complex technique.
Any preliminary positive Screening outcome is validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS analyses. Suspected positive samples undergo a washing protocol prior to final confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Clarification: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", it is the hair shaft that is examined, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine testing in Glen Echo, MD? Hair tests have a broader detection window and higher accuracy. While urine testing can be limited to recent usage, hair follicle tests detect a history of substance use over a longer period, providing superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Employers and authorities have increasingly employed hair testing due to its robust nature, minimizing false negatives that can occur with urine tests. Beyond immediate detection, hair testing offers a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history, thus enhancing reliability when screening substance use.
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window in Glen Echo, MD, covering up to 90 days of substance use history. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests reveal not just recent drug use but a detailed assessment over three months, providing employers with an invaluable tool.
Employers gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use through hair testing, effectively assessing long-term patterns. This extended observation period aids in identifying consistent drug use, crucial for workplace safety. Hair tests help create a more reliable assessment tool for employers in Glen Echo, MD.
In Glen Echo, MD, hair follicle testing provides tamper-resistant results, significantly reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration. This method ensures the integrity of each sample, offering reliable data that can be trusted by employers, courts, and individuals alike.
With hair follicle testing, the risk of manipulation common with other tests is minimized, providing peace of mind that results are accurate and trustworthy. It stands as an impregnable barrier against tampering, ensuring the purity and authenticity of the substance use data collected.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including Glen Echo, MD, accessing hair follicle drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free. Our testing centers, dispersed throughout various cities, ensure accessibility and ease for all clients.
This network of locations allows individuals and companies to have their testing needs met efficiently, without the challenges of scheduling or travel, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience. The presence of local facilities guarantees access to reliable services close to home.
The hair follicle testing process in Glen Echo, MD is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while being easy to carry out. From ordering the test to receiving results, the process is designed for the user's peace of mind, ensuring secure handling of sensitive information.
This seamless and straightforward approach means that individuals can engage in drug testing without complex procedures, maintaining a high level of privacy throughout. The confidential nature ensures that clients’ data remains secure, fostering trust in the testing process.
Accredited Drug Testing provides affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests in Glen Echo, MD. The competitive pricing structures accommodate businesses of all sizes, ensuring excellent value without compromising on speed or accuracy.
Our efficient process guarantees quick results, allowing companies to act swiftly based on test outcomes. This cost-effectiveness alongside rapid response times meets the diverse needs of businesses, providing them an edge in executing their drug policies while ensuring their budgetary limits are respected.
In Glen Echo, MD, hair follicle drug tests offer fast and accurate results, ensuring precision in substance detection. Unlike other methods, hair tests are highly reliable with nearly unmatched accuracy, capturing any drug usage effectively. Speed is crucial when assessing substance use, and hair follicle tests deliver with impressive pace.
The accuracy of hair testing translates to trust for both employers and individuals needing concrete results. With rapid processing times, organizations and individuals alike benefit from hair testing's promptness. Hair follicle testing ensures substance detection is not only quick but also trustworthy, solidifying its reputation in Glen Echo, MD.
Ensuring compliance and offering peace of mind, hair follicle testing helps companies in Glen Echo, MD maintain their drug-free workplace policies. With precise and reliable results, employers can mitigate legal risks and enhance workplace safety effortlessly.
By choosing hair follicle testing, employers secure accurate tests that align with workplace standards, promoting a safe and supportive work environment. The adherence to drug-free policies ensures a productive space while reducing potential liabilities, providing confidence for business leaders.