In Kensington, Maryland, Accredited Drug Testing provides a comprehensive approach to hair follicle drug testing. Our expertise in hair testing spans across the nation, with facilities in every city readily available for alcohol and drug hair tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head's crown or other body areas suffice for testing. Analyzing hair samples can reveal the presence of drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be tailored to specific hair testing needs.
In recent times, hair follicle testing has gained traction as a preferred method for drug testing. Various stakeholders such as courts, employers maintaining strict drug-free policies, and professionals dealing with substance abuse lean towards hair testing over the conventional urine testing. This method shines with its extended detection window of up to 90 days, collected under supervision, making tampering difficult. Yet, for detecting very recent drug usage, urine tests maintain their relevance.
* 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. Hair offers an extended historical record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key steps in laboratory processing for drug test results consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's workflow. This process involves confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplemental data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening represents an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening need additional verification.
For samples with presumptive positives in Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.
Verification of any positive screening outcomes is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly described as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests in Kensington, MD. Unlike urine tests, hair examinations can identify drug use extending beyond a few days, revealing a pattern of usage. This superior detection capability provides a clearer picture of an individual’s substance history.
Comparative Benefits: While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair testing surpasses them with a significantly longer detection time, offering greater reliability and accuracy.
In Kensington, MD, hair follicle drug testing excels with its extensive detection window. Capable of identifying drug use from up to 90 days prior, these tests deliver employers comprehensive insights into a person's substance use history, making them ideal for thorough evaluations.
Extended Insight: By analyzing longer periods, hair tests empower employers with a deeper understanding of potential drug use, aiding more informed decision-making.
Hair follicle tests offer a substantial advantage through their tamper-resistant nature, particularly in Kensington, MD. The collection process is monitored, dramatically reducing the risk of sample manipulation or adulteration, delivering results that are accurate and trustworthy.
Secure Testing: Due to the resistant features of hair testing, stakeholders can rely on the authenticity and dependability of the test outcomes.
With Accredited Drug Testing’s network throughout Kensington, MD, and beyond, obtaining a hair follicle test is convenient and straightforward. Our numerous nationwide locations ensure that anyone can access testing services swiftly and without undue hassle.
Easy Access: Local and nationwide centers ensure that getting a test done is simple, facilitating an efficient testing experience.
The hair follicle testing process in Kensington, MD, is straightforward and maintains confidentiality at every step. From ordering to receiving results, privacy concerns are addressed, ensuring a seamless experience for all involved.
Confidential Handling: Each stage is designed to be user-friendly and discreet, fostering a sense of comfort and trust among clients.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and expedient turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Kensington, MD. Our services are excellent value, catering to businesses of all sizes with efficiency and affordability.
Value for Money: Cost-effective solutions combined with quick results provide businesses comprehensive testing services without breaking the bank.
The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Kensington, MD, ensures accurate detection of substance use. Through advanced analysis, these tests quickly deliver reliable results. Their high level of accuracy aids employers in making informed decisions based on trustworthy data.
Accuracy and Reliability: Hair follicle tests achieve rapid and precise detection, minimizing the likelihood of erroneous results.
Quick Results: A streamlined testing process results in fast turnaround times, ensuring that employers have the data they require without delay.
Employers in Kensington, MD, who utilize hair follicle testing, benefit from enhanced compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method mitigates legal risks and fosters a safe working environment, ensuring both employer and employee peace of mind.
Regulatory Assurance: Hair testing aligns with compliance standards, providing employers confidence in fulfilling legal obligations.
