Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in St. Charles, Maryland. Whether you're in need of a hair drug or alcohol test, we specialize in hair testing with centers available across all cities Nationwide to conduct a hair test. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown of the head or from the body can be used. Our hair tests can screen for substances such as drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other custom hair testing plans.
Recently, the hair follicle drug test has increasingly become a preferred method for drug testing. Various employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse professionals are opting for a hair drug test as opposed to the standard urine test. Employers who enforce strict no-drug tolerance policies, courts, and probationary individuals favor hair follicle tests for their extended detection period of drug use—up to 90 days, conducted under direct supervision, making tampering nearly impossible. Nevertheless, for identifying drug use within the last 5 days, urine tests still remain the most reliable option.
* 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.
Recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing captures biomarkers within the fibers of hair strands as they grow, offering a historical footprint of substance usage. When gathered near the scalp, this type of test can provide a detection period extending up to roughly three months. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is less feasible, and it facilitates easy shipping.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For more detailed tests, such as EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding ten, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into the laboratory's workflow. It includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) at random, and completing any additional information entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening initiates a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to evaluate the majority of samples for drug use, positive results from this step require confirmation to be considered valid in legal settings. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.
For samples indicated as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample set and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at much lower concentrations than those found in alternative approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing a challenging methodology to execute.
Positive results from the Screening phase are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples labeled as presumptively positive undergo a wash before moving to Confirmation as required. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although occasionally referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in St. Charles, MD, reveals numerous benefits. Hair tests demonstrate superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing a more profound history of substance use. Unlike urine tests, hairs can retain historical substance use information for up to 90 days, providing a broader overview. This comprehensive detection makes it difficult for offenders to evade detection, securing workplace integrity.
The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in St. Charles, MD, stands at up to 90 days, showcasing a significant advantage. This period gives employers a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history. Through longer detection capabilities, companies obtain a robust picture, helping them make informed hiring decisions by avoiding potential risks associated with recent or past drug use.
Hair follicle tests are known for being a tamper-resistant testing method in St. Charles, MD. These tests minimize the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results are both reliable and beyond question. Compared to urine testing, hair follicle testing provides security and peace of mind to employers and institutions, offering confidence that received outcomes are both genuine and precise.
Finding a hair follicle test location in St. Charles, MD, is made simple with our convenient nationwide testing centers. Our sites are crafted to ensure quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services. With numerous strategically placed locations, clients can rely on us for seamless testing interactions, tailored to meet their needs without extensive travel or logistical challenges.
In St. Charles, MD, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, designed for ease of use and to address privacy concerns. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results are streamlined, minimizing complexities. This client-centric approach provides a smoother experience, allowing individuals to navigate the testing procedures confidently and discreetly, maintaining privacy throughout.
Our pricing structures for hair follicle testing in St. Charles, MD, are both affordable and competitive. Coupled with fast turnaround times, we deliver excellent value, catering to companies of all sizes. By providing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality, organizations can ensure timely results, supporting efficient decision-making while keeping budget considerations in mind.
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for providing fast, accurate, and reliable results in St. Charles, MD. The precision and speed of these tests are unmatched, offering high accuracy in detecting substance use. With results processed promptly, institutions and employers gain valuable insights rapidly, aiding in timely decision-making. Utilizing such tests ensures you remain on top of safety and compliance requirements.
For employers in St. Charles, MD, ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies is crucial. Hair follicle testing promotes peace of mind by lowering legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. By employing this testing method, businesses can adhere to strict regulations while ensuring that their workforce operates in a secure and professional environment, safeguarding both employees and the company from potential liabilities.
