Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug screening services in Westminster, Maryland. Specializing in hair drug and alcohol testing, our nationwide centers can conduct a hair test efficiently. Typically, hair samples from the crown or body can be used if they are 1.5 to 2 inches long. Hair tests can be customized for drugs, alcohol/ETG tests, among other options.
Modern drug testing methods are increasingly adopting hair follicle tests. Employers, legal systems, and substance abuse professionals favor these over standard urine tests. Companies with strict no-drug policies, judicial bodies, and those monitoring probation find hair tests beneficial. They offer a detection window up to 90 days, with collection supervised directly, minimizing chances of tampering. Nevertheless, for recent drug use within 5 days, urine tests remain superior.
* 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 gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When cut close to the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol usage over a period of up to three months. It's straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is preferred. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is advised. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When we reference head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Conversely, body hair pertains to all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four essential phases in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's system, confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary, rapid assessment for signs of drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective means of ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples with presumptive positive findings in Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. Drugs are then extracted from hair at concentrations substantially lower than those found in other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to perform.
Confirmation of positive screening results is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed 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 termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Westminster, MD, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing with its superior detection capabilities. While traditional urine tests offer a limited view, hair tests provide a broader spectrum of substance detection, showcasing a higher level of accuracy and reliability.
The edge of hair testing lies in its resilience against cheating. Unlike urine tests, hair samples present a challenge for manipulation, ensuring that results depict true substance use history, benefitting both employers and legal entities.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Westminster, MD, captures drug use information spanning up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeline provides employers with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.
This increased detection period is indispensable for businesses seeking a deeper insight into their workforce's previous drug usage, enhancing informed decision-making in hiring and maintaining standards.
In Westminster, MD, hair follicle tests serve as a bastion against tampering, ensuring the authenticity of results. The inherent nature of hair testing eliminates concerns over sample adulteration, providing reliable insights into substance use.
This tamper-resistant technique underscores the integrity of drug testing processes, assuring employers of the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings, protecting organizational interests effectively.
Convenience is key in Westminster, MD, with our extensive network of nationwide testing centers. Accessible and efficient, these facilities ensure that drug testing is a seamless and straightforward process.
For residents and businesses alike, the availability of local testing centers translates into hassle-free testing experiences, quickly integrating into busy schedules without compromising on service quality or responsiveness.
In Westminster, MD, ordering and undergoing a hair follicle drug test is a straightforward and confidential process. We prioritize privacy, ensuring an easy procedure from test initiation to the delivery of results.
Clear communication and discrete handling at every stage reassure individuals of their privacy rights, making the testing experience as user-friendly and secure as possible, thus enhancing overall satisfaction.
Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, our services in Westminster, MD present an attractive proposition for businesses. Our affordable rates ensure excellent value without compromising on the quality of testing and results.
By coupling cost-effectiveness with swift service delivery, we support companies of all sizes, providing the economic advantage and peace of mind required for effective substance monitoring.
In Westminster, MD, hair follicle drug tests are not only swift but also incredibly precise. The high accuracy of these tests makes them a reliable choice for detecting substance use, providing results that are both credible and punctual.
The efficiency of hair drug tests ensures rapid turnaround times, freeing employers from the burden of waiting. The combination of speed and accuracy offers peace of mind for all stakeholders, reinforcing the trust in such testing.
Hair follicle testing in Westminster, MD fosters compliance and offers peace of mind to employers by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. Such measures significantly curb legal risks and bolster workplace safety.
By aligning with hair testing methods, organizations demonstrate a proactive stance towards maintaining a substance-free environment, enhancing employee trust and operational efficacy within legal frameworks.