Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments in Lexington Park, Maryland. For those needing drug or alcohol testing via hair, we are experts in this field, with facilities across all cities Nationwide ready to conduct hair analysis. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body is needed. Hair tests can evaluate for various substances including drugs and alcohol/ETG, with custom options available.
Recently, the use of hair follicle drug testing has grown more common in drug testing protocols. Many workplaces, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse experts now favor hair drug tests over traditional urine samples. Hair follicle tests are preferred when strict no-drug policies are enforced, during court orders, and for those on probation. The main advantage is its extended detection window of up to 90 days, conducted under supervision, limiting cheating opportunities. However, urine tests remain superior for detecting recent substance use within 5 days.
* 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 has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the elongating hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to about a 3-month time frame for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
An ideal sampling consists of a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (around the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair, optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is advised to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The core steps in the laboratory process for processing a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drug presence. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to negate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that yield a provisional positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
When a sample tests provisionally positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is retrieved from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging technique to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing is prominently superior over traditional urine tests in Lexington Park, MD. This method provides significant advantages including a longer detection period and the ability to accurately determine drug use history. While urine tests offer reliable short-term detection, hair testing gives meticulous insights into substance use over a span of several months, boosting testing reliability.
The extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing in Lexington Park, MD, is unparalleled. Employers gain an insightful understanding of drug use over up to 90 days. This method surpasses others in offering a comprehensive review of a potential hire or current employee's long-term substance history, serving as a crucial tool in making informed hiring decisions.
Hair follicle tests in Lexington Park, MD, vastly reduce the potential for tampering, offering robust and trustworthy results. The sample collection process deters any attempt to adulterate or substitute samples, ensuring high test integrity. As such, hair tests are exceedingly reliable, providing clear, undeniable outcomes that stand up to scrutiny.
Convenience is assured with nationwide and local testing sites, including those in Lexington Park, MD. Our centers are strategically placed to provide easy and hassle-free testing services to all, ensuring prompt service that accommodates everyone without unnecessary delays, making the testing process smooth and accessible.
In Lexington Park, MD, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. Clients are guaranteed a seamless experience, from ordering to receiving results, with a focus on preserving privacy. Ensuring ease of use, the process alleviates any concerns about privacy, delivering an untroubled experience for all involved.
In Lexington Park, MD, our hair follicle testing is competitively priced and boasts fast turnaround times. This makes it a cost-effective solution for organizations of all sizes, providing immense value while delivering quick results. Companies can trust they are receiving both economical pricing and speed, assuring peace of mind.
In Lexington Park, MD, hair follicle drug testing boasts fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method provides high precision in identifying substance use, ensuring that any testing is both swift and dependable. A hair test can swiftly determine the consumption of various illegal substances, offering companies the insight they need to make informed decisions with great accuracy.
For employers in Lexington Park, MD, hair follicle testing is a cornerstone for ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free guidelines. This testing methodology not only protects organizations from legal issues but also improves overall safety. By utilizing hair tests, employers can trust they are upholding rigorous compliance standards.
