Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug screening services in Lake Shore, Maryland. If a hair drug or alcohol test is required, Accredited Drug Testing is an expert in this field, with testing facilities across the country capable of conducting a hair test. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body is sufficient. Analysis options include drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored hair testing solutions.
The approach of incorporating hair follicle drug tests into regular testing has increased over the years. More employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse professionals opt for hair testing over conventional urine testing. Hair tests are preferred by employers who enforce strict no-drug policies, judicial bodies, and those overseeing probation. A significant advantage of hair testing is its extended drug use detection period, generally up to 90 days, regarding an observed collection procedure, making it extremely difficult to manipulate. However, for drug use detection within a 5-day window, urine tests remain highly accurate.
* 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 has become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term record for alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. Collecting hair near the scalp can yield a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch sample containing around 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. When testing for EtG, add-ons, or more than 10 drug panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be gathered. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial, and axillary).
Process Overview
The essential phases in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves processing a sample into the laboratory system initially. This involves checking that the sample was securely sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing outstanding data entry that was not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening require further confirmation.
If a sample tests as tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.
Verification of any positive result from Screening is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Lake Shore, MD, hair follicle tests have proven to be superior because they deliver more reliable and precise results than traditional urine tests. Advantages of hair testing include extended detection periods, making them more effective for long-term substance use monitoring.
Hair testing boasts a longer detection window, often up to 90 days, providing a thorough review of a person's drug history. This method considerably enhances reliability and precision, a crucial aspect often lacking in more conventional urine tests.
Hair follicle tests in Lake Shore, MD, offer an extended detection period that can trace substance use back up to 90 days, giving employers an invaluable snapshot of an individual's drug history. These tests offer enhanced oversight that urine tests cannot match due to their limited detection window of only a few days.
This extended window ensures that alternatives like urine tests, which detect more recent drug use, do not provide such historical insights. Hair testing reveals consistent patterns of use, critical in decision-making processes for employers.
The hair follicle testing method in Lake Shore, MD, significantly curtails the risk of tampering. Its unique attributes make it an unquestionably reliable form of testing, as altering the sample becomes practically impossible.
With its observed collection process, hair testing counters common issues associated with tampering, providing accurate and dependable results. It addresses longstanding concerns of adulteration that are often linked with other sample types, like urine tests, ensuring confidence in results.
With convenient locations throughout Lake Shore, MD, and nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing services has never been easier. Our testing centers offer hassle-free access, ensuring that drug testing needs are met promptly and efficiently.
This extensive network provides flexibility, allowing individuals and organizations to schedule testing at their convenience. The widespread availability ensures that no matter where you are, top-notch drug testing services are within reach.
In Lake Shore, MD, the hair follicle drug testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed with ease and privacy in mind, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Concerns about privacy are addressed through secure processes, protecting individuals' information and providing assurance of confidentiality throughout the testing stages. This approach makes hair testing a preferred choice for many seeking efficient and discreet drug screening solutions.
Apart from being fast and reliable, hair follicle drug testing in Lake Shore, MD, offers affordable pricing paired with swift turnaround times. This blend of cost-effectiveness and efficiency caters to companies, regardless of size, providing significant value.
The competitive pricing structures ensure that organizations can maintain budget-friendly testing regimens without compromising on the quality of results. Quick turnaround times further emphasize the practicality of choosing hair testing for reliable and economical drug screening.
In Lake Shore, MD, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their remarkable precision and efficiency in identifying substance use. Fast and reliable, these tests provide accurate results swiftly, ensuring that individuals and organizations can promptly make informed decisions.
With a high degree of accuracy, hair testing effectively spots substances, offering a dependable method for ensuring workplace safety and compliance. Its reliability is unmatched by other types of drug testing available in the area.
In Lake Shore, MD, hair follicle testing offers employers peace of mind by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. With these tests, legal risks are minimized due to the reliability and accuracy offered, crucial for maintaining a safe work environment.
Investing in hair testing enhances workplace safety and compliance, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to uphold strict no-drug use policies. This ensures a secure environment, fostering productivity and reducing potential liabilities associated with substance use.
