At Accredited Drug Testing, we provide comprehensive hair follicle drug tests in Northampton, MA. Whether it's for drugs or alcohol, our expertise in hair testing ensures thorough results at any of our centers nationwide. With a minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of head or body hair, evaluations for drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other tests can be conducted.
Hair follicle testing has been increasingly popular for drug screening in recent times. Preferred by employers, courts, and substance abuse experts, it's chosen over standard urine tests for its effectiveness. This testing method, pivotal for those under zero-tolerance policies or probation, offers a detection window of up to 90 days, with authentic collection minimizing fraud. For recent drug use within five days, urine tests remain more precise.
* 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 increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fiber of the hair as it grows. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can present a detection window of almost three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
A segment measuring 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (roughly comparable to a #2 pencil's size) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation procedures. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen quantity of 150mg is suggested. It is advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In situations where scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four integral stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning phase involves initially entering a sample into the laboratory’s database. This step includes ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, designating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.
The Screening phase entails a preliminary, swift assessment for substances of abuse. Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in a majority of samples, but a positive screen mandate confirmation for it to be permissible in legal proceedings. Presumptive positive samples identified in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original collection and readied for the Extraction phase. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration in comparison to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), indicating that hair drug screening is the most complex methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is facilitated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive specimens undergo washing if needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is of the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Northampton, MA largely comes down to superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a more comprehensive exploration into drug use history.
Employers find hair testing beneficial as it uncovers substance use over a longer duration, thus presenting a clearer picture of an individual's substance record compared to traditional urine testing methods.
The Extended Detection Window in hair follicle testing in Northampton, MA provides a major advantage. Capable of detecting drug usage up to 90 days, it significantly surpasses the shorter timeline detected through urine tests.
Employers benefit from this extended window by gaining a nuanced understanding of an applicant's or employee's past substance use, enhancing decision-making for hiring and retention.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Northampton, MA is inherent to hair follicle testing. It drastically minimizes the opportunity for sample manipulation, delivering trustworthy and resolute outcomes.
This robust method fortifies the integrity of the testing process, ensuring that results reflect true substance use patterns, thereby providing a solid foundation for making informed decisions.
The Convenience of Nationwide Testing Locations in Northampton, MA is an advantage for those seeking hair follicle testing. Our widespread network makes accessing testing services quick and convenient.
Local and nationwide centers ensure individuals and companies can easily arrange for tests without the hassle of travel, supporting efficient and prompt testing procedures.
The Simple, Confidential Process in Northampton, MA makes hair follicle testing user-friendly. From ordering to collecting and result retrieval, confidentiality and simplicity are prioritized.
This approach helps ease concerns regarding privacy and usability, proving reliable and secure outcomes that align with individual and organizational needs.
Competitive Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround position hair follicle testing as an optimal choice for businesses in Northampton, MA. Excellent value is offered through our pricing structures.
With quick result processing and affordable costs, companies of all sizes find reassurance in investing in these comprehensive testing services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Northampton, MA are achieved through hair follicle drug testing. Known for their precision, these tests ensure high accuracy in identifying substance use over traditional methods.
The speed with which the results are obtained coupled with their reliability makes them an invaluable tool for those eager to maintain a drug-free environment. Accuracy and quick responses are the hallmarks of these tests.
Employers in Northampton, MA gain Compliance and Peace of Mind by employing hair follicle testing. Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, it diminishes legal exposure and sharpens the focus on safety.
With hair testing, businesses bolster compliance efforts, thereby reinforcing workplace safety cultures and mitigating risks associated with substance misuse.
