Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. If a hair or alcohol test is required, Accredited Drug Testing offers expertise in hair testing, with facilities available nationwide to perform these tests. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of head or body hair is needed. Hair analysis can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or offer other specialized testing options.
In recent times, hair follicle drug tests have seen increased use for drug testing requirements. Employers, legal systems, and Substance Abuse professionals now often prefer hair drug tests over the traditional urine method. Hair follicle testing is advocated by those who enforce strict no-drug policies, as well as courts or probation officers. Its main advantage is detecting drug use over a period of up to 90 days, gathered during an observed process, making it very difficult to manipulate. However, for detecting drug use within a 5-day window, the urine test remains the most 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 recognized as an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers in the growing hair's fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to about a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A section of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (around the width of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will supply 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluating and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The main procedures in laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the primary handling of a sample into a lab’s framework. This includes ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a financially efficient method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires validation to be valid in court. Any samples presuming positive in Screening necessitate a secondary authentication.
If screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.
Authentication of any affirmative screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleaned before confirmation, as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to 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: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp
In Pittsfield, MA, hair follicle testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests. The former is lauded for its superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Benefits of Hair Testing:
Employers in Pittsfield, MA benefit from hair follicle tests' extended detection window, which can identify drug use over a span of up to 90 days, offering a detailed view of an individual’s substance history.
Comprehensive Insight
In Pittsfield, MA, hair follicle tests are inherently resistant to tampering, providing trustworthy results. This testing method minimizes the risk of adulteration.
Unadulterated Results:
With testing centers in Pittsfield, MA and nationwide, accessing drug testing services is straightforward and convenient. These centers facilitate hassle-free testing experiences.
Nationwide Access:
In Pittsfield, MA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring ease from ordering to receiving results while safeguarding privacy.
Smooth Process:
Pittsfield, MA offers hair follicle drug testing with competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, delivering exceptional value and reassurance to businesses of various sizes.
Value & Speed:
Hair follicle drug tests in Pittsfield, MA provide precise and swift results. These tests, known for their high accuracy, can reliably detect substance use within a substantial timeframe.
Fast & Accurate
Employers in Pittsfield, MA gain confidence using hair follicle testing to adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This ensures regulatory compliance and boosts workplace safety.
Compliance Assurance: