Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in North Adams, Massachusetts. Specializing in hair tests for drugs and alcohol, our facilities are located in cities nationwide. Hair strands of 1.5 to 2 inches are required and can be taken from the head or body in most cases, allowing for analyses of drugs, alcohol/ETG, or customized options.
Recently, hair follicle drug testing has become a standard procedure for drug testing. It is increasingly demanded by employers, judicial entities, and substance abuse experts as an alternative to the conventional urine tests. Those implementing zero-tolerance drug policies, including companies, courts, and probation departments, find hair follicle testing useful. It provides a longer detection window, up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that are more suitable for recent drug use, typically within the last 5 days.
* 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 tests are recognized as a highly effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow, hair offers an extended history of substance use. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection range of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to collect, relatively challenging to alter, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or when exceeding 10-panel tests, it’s advisable to use 150mg. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair is an alternative. The term 'head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair. Meanwhile, 'body hair' encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of inserting the sample into the lab’s system, which entails ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and completing any missing information not captured through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for illicit substances. While it's a budget-friendly approach for the majority of samples, positive screenings require confirmation to be considered legally valid. Any samples indicating positive in Screening are subjected to an additional confirmation process.
In instances of a presumptive positive during Screening, further hair is derived from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this procedure, substances are drawn from hair at much lower levels than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), attributing to hair drug testing’s complexity.
Confirmation of positive results involves techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are cleansed as necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in North Adams, MA, holds distinct advantages. Detection accuracy is superior in hair tests, as they are less prone to tampering or contamination. This reliability means employers trust hair tests when enforcing zero-tolerance policies.
The broader detection window of hair testing far exceeds the limited scope offered by urine, making it a preferred choice in many scenarios.
In North Adams, MA, one of the standout benefits of hair follicle tests is their extended detection window, offering insight into drug use over a 90-day period. This extended timeline provides employers with a comprehensive history of an individual’s substance use.
For companies seeking thoroughness, hair testing presents a window that no other method can match, providing a detailed understanding of potential substance dependencies.
Hair follicle tests in North Adams, MA, offer an exceptional level of tamper-resistance, setting them apart from other testing methods. The ability to alter or substitute a sample in hair testing is significantly reduced, offering unquestionably reliable results.
This aspect is critical for organizations requiring dependable data free of manipulation, reinforcing their trust in the outcomes of these tests.
For North Adams, MA residents, accessing hair follicle testing is made convenient by our nationwide testing centers. Easy accessibility ensures that individuals and businesses enjoy a hassle-free experience across locations.
Regardless of where you are, our widespread facilities guarantee swift access to the essential testing services you need.
The simplicity and confidentiality of the hair follicle testing process in North Adams, MA, ease concerns about privacy and facilitate easy use. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are handled with discretion and efficiency, fostering a stress-free experience.
Participants can trust in the confidentiality of their data while benefiting from the straightforward procedure involved.
In North Adams, MA, affordability and quick turnaround times define our hair follicle testing. Competitive pricing and fast results provide tremendous value for companies of all sizes. By streamlining the process, businesses can make timely decisions without financial strain.
These efficient operations place hair testing as an economically viable option in comparison to others.
In North Adams, MA, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and precise results that few other methods match. Efficiency is a hallmark of these tests, ensuring that individuals and employers receive accurate results quickly. The advanced technology used in hair testing delivers reliability, allowing for decisive action to be taken based on clear-cut data.
The process is streamlined to ensure that results maintain their high level of accuracy.
Employers in North Adams, MA, rely on hair follicle testing to maintain compliance with workplace drug-free policies. Peace of mind is a key benefit, as these tests ensure adherence to legal requirements and minimize workplace risks.
Utilizing hair testing strategies supports security and compliance, safeguarding companies against potential legal ramifications and boosting workplace safety.
