Accredited Drug Testing provides thorough hair follicle drug screening services in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Whether it's a hair drug or alcohol analysis you require, we are experts in hair evaluation and have facilities nationwide capable of conducting hair examinations. Generally, hair from the crown, ranging from 1.5 to 2 inches, or body hair is needed. Hair screens are suitable for drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other bespoke hair test options.
Over recent times, the inclusion of hair follicle tests in drug screening methods has increased. Numerous employers, judicial bodies, and Substance Abuse specialists now favor hair over routine urine tests. Hair follicle assessments are commonly utilized by employers with strict anti-drug policies, judicial bodies, and those under probation. The key advantage is its ability to detect drugs long-term, up to 90 days, with stringent collection procedures minimizing cheating risks. However, within a 5-day detection window, urine remains the most precise method.
* 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 now recognized as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands as they grow, offering an extended timeline of alcohol and drug presence. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can reveal a history of up to three months for alcohol and drug use. Hair is collected with ease, is somewhat resistant to tampering, and is convenient to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or more than 10-panel tests, a specimen weighing 150mg is recommended. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair not be an option, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing for a drug test result is made up of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the procedure of initially entering a sample into the lab’s system. This comprises verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and committing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as a quick preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. While it is an economical method to discount drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs verification for legal admissibility. Any samples indicated as presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.
Upon presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Drug extraction from hair occurs at a much lower concentration than in methodologies like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening especially challenging.
Confirmation for any positive screening results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being referred to as "hair follicle tests," this test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Chicopee, MA
Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests, particularly in detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a longer detection window, allowing employers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's long-term substance use habits.
Extended Detection Window in Chicopee, MA
A major benefit of hair follicle testing is its prolonged detection window. Tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, offering employers an extensive overview of a person's substance use history. This is particularly valuable for positions requiring stringent regulations and compliance standards, ensuring a safe and reliable workforce.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Chicopee, MA
One key advantage of hair follicle drug testing is its resistance to tampering. The testing process is designed to reduce the likelihood of adulteration or substitution, which is a common concern with urine tests. This leads to more reliable and credible results that employers can confidently rely on for crucial decision-making processes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Chicopee, MA
Enjoy quick and easy access to hair follicle testing with our widespread testing facilities located across the country. In Chicopee, MA, along with nationwide locations, we ensure that your testing experience is hassle-free and convenient, providing seamless access for both employers and individuals needing reliable testing.
Simple, Confidential Process in Chicopee, MA
Navigating the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and maintains confidentiality. From scheduling your test to obtaining results, the process respects privacy, addressing any concerns individuals may have regarding discretion. This ensures peace of mind throughout, from order setup to result retrieval.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Chicopee, MA
Our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced, offering excellent value for companies of all sizes. Combined with swift turnaround times, our services ensure companies can make timely decisions without breaking the budget, providing both economic and time efficiency in testing results delivery.
Hair follicle drug tests in Chicopee, MA stand out for their precision and rapidity. These tests can accurately identify a wide array of substances, offering results that are dependable and quick. This testing method ensures a high level of detail in results, providing a clear picture of an individual's substance history and use patterns.
Employers favor hair tests for their exactness. In situations where swift but exact information is needed, hair drug tests deliver, offering results faster than many alternative testing methods, all while maintaining accuracy and reliability as paramount.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Chicopee, MA
Hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies effectively, mitigating legal and safety risks. By employing this method, businesses maintain compliance while fostering a safe work environment. This reduces potential liabilities and reinforces trust in the employee screening process.