Accredited Drug Testing provides thorough hair follicle drug assessments in Wheaton, Maryland. Whether it's for drug or alcohol detection, we excel in hair analysis, with facilities across all cities nationwide equipped for this purpose. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body is needed. Hair evaluations assess drugs, alcohol/ETG, or can be customized to specific testing requirements.
In recent years, drug testing methods have increasingly incorporated hair follicle assessments. An uptick in demand from employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals favors hair testing over standard urine exams. These tests serve employers with strict drug policies, courts, and probationary individuals, offering a superior detection window that extends up to 90 days, ensuring a reliable, hard-to-manipulate process. Yet, for recent drug use within 5 days, urine tests remain the go-to choice.
* 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 is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extended timeline of alcohol and other substance exposure by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When taken from near the scalp, hair can provide roughly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.
A hair sample of 1.5 inches from approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additives, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is lacking, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. The term "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas "body hair" refers to all additional hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The core stages in laboratory processing for a drug test result comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step involves confirming the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails a preliminary swift evaluation for drug abuse. While this step is an economical means to rule out drug usage in most samples, any positive result from Screening needs verification to be valid in legal settings. Samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a supplementary confirmation.
If Screening indicates a sample as presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from the hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive results from screening is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being referred to as "hair follicle tests," these tests examine the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Wheaton, MD, hair follicle testing stands out compared to traditional urine tests. Its superior accuracy in detecting drugs offers a significant advantage.
Hair follicle testing in Wheaton, MD offers an extended detection window, tracking drug use for up to 90 days.
The hair follicle test method in Wheaton, MD is highly resistant to tampering, delivering confident and true results.
Hair testing's design inherently prevents manipulation, setting a standard for reliability.
Our nationwide testing centers, including those in Wheaton, MD, offer convenient access to services.
The hair follicle testing process in Wheaton, MD is both simple and confidential, ensuring user privacy and comfort.
Competitive pricing in Wheaton, MD makes hair follicle testing affordable without sacrificing quality.
Hair follicle drug tests in Wheaton, MD are known for their fast and precise outcomes. These tests ensure a high level of accuracy when identifying substances.
In Wheaton, MD, hair follicle testing facilitates compliance with workplace drug-free policies, offering peace of mind to employers.
