In McDaniel, Maryland, Accredited Drug Testing provides thorough hair follicle drug testing services. Whether for drugs or alcohol, our centers nationwide are equipped to conduct these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head is used, though body hair is an alternative. These hair tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other specialized options.
Recently, hair follicle drug tests have increasingly been used for drug testing. They are preferred by employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals over traditional urine tests. Employers with strict no-drug policies, courts, and probation programs often require hair tests. The key advantage of hair tests is their extended detection window of up to 90 days, making them hard to tamper with, unlike urine tests which are better for detecting recent drug 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 drug testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When taken from close to the scalp, hair can indicate usage of alcohol and drugs over roughly the past 3 months. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
By collecting a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximating the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, you can acquire 100mg of hair, which is an optimal amount for screening and verification. For tests involving EtG, additional parameters, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types like facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The drug testing process in the laboratory is characterized by four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning stage, a specimen is first processed into the lab's system. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data recording not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening phase involves a preliminary assessment for signs of drug misuse. While it is a cost-effective strategy for eliminating potential drug usage across most samples, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation for it to be court-admissible. Samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening therefore require additional confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to be prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques to execute.
Any positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is validated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation standards of ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand itself and not the hair follicle under the scalp.
Comparing hair follicle and urine tests in McDaniel, MD, reveals distinct advantages. Hair testing surpasses traditional methods by offering extended detection periods and superior accuracy.
Employers find hair tests more reliable. These tests ensure a comprehensive view, unlike urine tests which often fail to present a long-term substance use history.
In McDaniel, MD, hair follicle tests provide a strategic advantage with their extended detection window. Unlike urine tests with limited timeframes, hair tests can reveal substance use up to 90 days prior.
This extended detection period offers employers a more thorough assessment of an individual's substance history, proving invaluable during the hiring process.
McDaniel, MD, professionals trust hair follicle tests for their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less likely to be adulterated, ensuring integrity.
Hair tests safeguard against sample tampering, making them unquestionably reliable. This reliability is crucial for maintaining accurate testing outcomes.
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing in McDaniel, MD, and nationwide. Our centers provide quick, hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services.
Accessing testing is simple and geographically convenient, whether you're in McDaniel or elsewhere, ensuring stress-free service access.
The process of hair follicle testing in McDaniel, MD, is straightforward and confidential. Ordering a test, taking it, and receiving results follow a clear simple protocol.
This testing method guarantees privacy and ease, alleviating concerns over confidentiality and making it easy to obtain necessary information.
In McDaniel, MD, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. Companies of all sizes benefit from our affordable options.
Businesses enjoy excellent value, ensuring thorough drug testing without financial strain, alongside prompt results for informed decision-making.
In McDaniel, MD, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Their accuracy in detecting substance use sets them apart, providing reliable results quickly.
Professional settings benefit from these tests due to their fast turnaround. Results are not only technologically advanced but also consistently accurate, making them a preferred choice.
Employers in McDaniel, MD, gain peace of mind using hair follicle tests. These tests uphold compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks.
By improving safety and ensuring comprehensive drug testing coverage, businesses can maintain a secure, risk-free environment.