In White Oak, Maryland, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services. Our specialized centers, available nationwide, are equipped to carry out meticulous hair drug and alcohol tests. Typically, a hair length of 1.5 to 2 inches is sufficient for these tests, which can identify various substances, including drugs and alcohol.
Recently, the hair follicle drug test has gained popularity as the preferred method of drug screening. Employers, legal entities, and counselors often select hair tests over urine analysis due to their extended detection window of up to 90 days. This process is monitored to prevent tampering, whereas urine tests remain crucial for identifying substance use within a short 5-day period.
* 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 is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a historical record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, it can offer an approximately 3-month window of detection for alcohol and various drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, making it an ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For testing EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the collected hair is recommended. Should scalp hair not be available, an equal quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In the Accessioning stage, a sample is initially integrated into a laboratory’s system. This step involves checking the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
During the Screening stage, a preliminary check for substance abuse is conducted. Though Screening is a cost-efficient procedure to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive finding requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples found presumptively positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
When a sample is found presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, substances are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening notoriously challenging.
Confirmation for any positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples are washed accordingly. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
The advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine analysis are clear in White Oak, MD. Superior detection accuracy allows businesses to implement stricter controls. Unlike urine tests which might miss long-term usage, hair tests render more reliable results, significantly reducing false negatives. This reliability is paramount for maintaining stringent workplace standards and regulatory compliance.
Hair follicle testing offers an impressive detection period, tracing substance usage up to 90 days back. For employers in White Oak, MD, this extended window ensures a thorough review of an individual's drug history, making it an excellent tool for comprehensive screened evaluations. The foresight into past behaviors provides clarity on an applicant's eligibility for secure positions.
Minimizing the risk of sample adulteration with hair follicle testing is a crucial advantage for White Oak, MD employers. Unlike urine tests, the tamper-resistant nature of hair samples prevents manipulation, ensuring trustworthy results. This reliability supports businesses in maintaining high standards of workplace safety and integrity, free from the worry of compromised samples.
Offering convenient testing options in White Oak, MD, and beyond through our nationwide centers ensures hassle-free access to drug testing services. Whether local or far, quick and easy testing appointments available, aid HR departments in managing workloads efficiently. This convenience makes sticking to testing schedules practical and streamlined for clients across the nation.
Our simple and confidential process in White Oak, MD ensures ease and privacy in drug testing. From ordering a test to receiving results, every step maintains confidentiality and user-friendliness. By addressing privacy concerns and simplifying intricacies, the experience remains smooth, reassuring individuals and employers of a trustworthy system that respects their needs.
White Oak, MD businesses can enjoy affordable pricing for drug testing paired with swift turnaround times for results. Competitive pricing structures ensure excellent value, accommodating organizations of all sizes. Quick processing reduces downtime, providing companies with the information they need to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently, supporting cost-effective operations.
Obtaining fast, accurate, and reliable drug test results in White Oak, MD is crucial. Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision, ensuring detection of substance use with consistency. The method's design contributes significantly to reliability, as it seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology to ensure high levels of certainty in results. Speed and accuracy make it an attractive choice for urgent testing needs.
For employers striving for compliance and safety, hair follicle testing provides peace of mind. In White Oak, MD, leveraging hair tests supports adherence to drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks. Employers benefit from safeguarding their work environment, knowing that they are enforcing effective drug prevention measures while maintaining regulatory compliance effortlessly.
