In Bedford, Massachusetts, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services. Whether seeking a hair drug or alcohol test, Accredited Drug Testing excels in hair analysis, with testing facilities available in every city across the nation. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair on the head or body are suitable for these tests. Hair testing options include drugs, alcohol/ETG, or tailored analyses.
The approach of drug testing has shifted toward hair follicle examinations in recent years. This method is increasingly mandated by employers, courts, and substance abuse experts instead of traditional urine tests. Seen as vital by zero-tolerance employers, courts, and probationary institutions, hair follicle tests offer extended detection up to 90 days, are overseen during collection, and are extremely difficult to tamper with. Yet, for detecting drug use within a 5-day window, urine tests remain the most reliable.
* 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 has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged historical record of alcohol and substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, reasonably challenge-proof to adulterate, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or exams beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair may be gathered. In the context of head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages in the laboratory assessment of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This encompasses confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive screen must be substantiated for courtroom admissibility. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.
If a sample is tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging method to execute.
Validation of any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation per requirements. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited 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: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in Bedford, MA due to its superior detection capability and reliability. The extended drug detection timeline gives a more detailed history of substance use, unlike the short detection window urine tests provide. This makes hair tests a preferred choice for employers and courts demanding rigorous drug screening protocols.
Additionally, hair testing resists evasion tactics often used to fool urine tests, heightening its reliability. Its accuracy extends reassurance to employers and legal entities in maintaining stringent drug-free standards.
The benefit of hair follicle testing in Bedford, MA lies in its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This extensive detection window surpasses traditional testing methods, offering a broader overview of an individual’s substance history. For employers, this means a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's long-term habits.
Hair tests encapsulate a wider period of drug use, providing assurance and peace of mind that no recent developments in substance use remain undiscovered, ultimately enhancing hiring decisions.
In Bedford, MA, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant method for drug testing that minimizes risks of sample adulteration. The methodology makes it extremely challenging for results to be manipulated, ensuring that tests remain reliable and valid.
This reliability enhances trust in the testing process for employers, as the collection process is difficult to subvert. This level of tamper resistance fortifies the trust employers place in drug testing outcomes.
In Bedford, MA, our extensive network of nationwide testing locations, including local centers, ensures a convenient testing process. These sites provide seamless access to services, significantly reducing logistical complexities for individuals and businesses alike.
Our broad coverage means fast, efficient testing is never far away, supporting easy access to crucial drug testing services.
In Bedford, MA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and ensures privacy from ordering to receiving results. Confidentiality remains a top priority, with systems in place to uphold discretion at each stage.
This user-friendly process alleviates concerns around transparency and privacy, simplifying a typically complex task. Clients can trust that they’ll receive secure and confidential service every step of the way.
Accredited Drug Testing in Bedford, MA offers competitive pricing strategies alongside swift result turnaround, adding value for businesses of all sizes. Our cost-effective solutions ensure clients receive high-quality service without financial strain.
By blending affordability with rapid service delivery, our clients enjoy timely access to drug test outcomes without compromising on quality.
In Bedford, MA, the speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug testing are unparalleled. Hair testing rapidly delivers precise results, ensuring timely and reliable detection of substances. The high sensitivity of these tests captures even low-level drug use, providing unprecedented precision that ensures employers stay informed.
The swift turnaround and diagnostic certainty that hair follicle testing offers supports quick decision-making processes. Employers benefit from the reliable insights these tests yield, facilitating effective management and a drug-free workplace environment.
Employers in Bedford, MA can benefit from hair follicle testing to maintain compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies. By employing hair tests, businesses mitigate legal risks associated with workplace substance misuse, reinforcing safety and adherence to regulations.
These testing protocols facilitate a more secure work environment, offering peace of mind that company and employee interests are both safeguarded effectively.
