Hair Drug Testing Locations - Landover, MD

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical profile of alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. If collected near the scalp, it can yield a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analysis, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. When citing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug use. Though a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Samples appearing positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent validation.

When a sample yields a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluids, which makes hair drug screening uniquely challenging.

Any positive screening results must be confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab process — from Accessioning to Confirmation — is assessed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer window.
• High resistance to tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably hard, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical use data: It reveals a pattern of usage over time, rather than only recent activity.

Limitations:

• Limited recent use detection: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences in factors like hair color and individual growth rates influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," this examination assesses the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Landover, MD

• Hair testing offers a superior detection window, identifying substance use up to 90 days, far exceeding the typical window of urine tests.
• This method is highly reliable, decreases false negatives, and is less susceptible to tampering.

Urine tests, although useful for recent use detection, lack the robust detection and reliability that hair analyses bring.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Landover, MD

• Hair follicle testing can reveal a three-month history of drug use, offering a thorough view of an individual's substance habits.
• This extensive detection window is invaluable for employers making hiring or monitoring decisions.
• The capability to retrospectively examine drug behavior proves useful for pinpointing chronic usage patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Landover, MD

• Hair follicle tests drastically diminish the risk of adulteration, ensuring collected samples reflect true results.
• Observed collections contribute to enhanced procedural integrity, thus providing stakeholders with accurate and reliable outcomes.

The reliability of such tests is pivotal for maintaining the integrity of drug-testing efforts.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide and Local Testing Centers in Landover, MD

• Accredited Drug Testing facilitates easy access to drug testing services through an extensive network of locations, including those in Landover.
• This network provides convenience and efficiency, especially in urgent testing scenarios.

Our strategic positioning of centers ensures hassle-free testing experiences for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Landover, MD

• The process for conducting hair follicle tests is both straightforward and discreet, protecting the privacy of all individuals involved.
• Confidentiality is upheld throughout the testing chain, from ordering to collection and results.

Ease of use ensures that even first-time users can participate without stress or complication.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround in Landover, MD

• Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures, making hair follicle tests accessible to businesses regardless of size.
• The swift return of results adds significant value, minimizing downtime and facilitating timely decision-making.

This affordability and efficiency are key to supporting a risk-averse and informed organizational culture.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Precise, and Trustworthy Results in Landover, MD

• Hair follicle drug tests deliver results with extraordinary speed and precision. Their high level of accuracy makes them a preferred option for detecting substance use.
• The rapid turnaround time minimizes waiting periods, allowing quick decision-making for employers and courts.
• High accuracy gives stakeholders confidence in the test outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Landover, MD

• Adopting hair follicle testing aligns businesses with drug-free workplace regulations, safeguarding against non-compliance liabilities.
• This method supports higher safety standards in work environments, promoting peace of mind for management and staff alike.

Reduced legal risks and enhanced workplace safety come as key benefits.

Drug Testing Near Landover, MD

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