In Northcote, Minnesota, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services. Whether you need a test for drug or alcohol use, our specialty lies in hair testing, with centers nationwide available for this purpose. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body can be used for the test, which is capable of analyzing drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specialized testing options.
Over the years, the preference for conducting drug tests has increasingly shifted to hair follicle tests. Employers, legal systems, and substance abuse experts often require hair tests over standard urine tests. They are favored for zero-tolerance drug policies, court mandates, and probation checks due to their extended detection periods, up to 90 days, alongside being collected in a monitored process, making them almost tamper-proof. However, for detecting recent drug use within 5 days, urine tests are still 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 testing is increasingly viewed as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug usage. Hair can reveal an extended timeline of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it offers up to about a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch cut of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not an option, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial phase of integrating a sample into a laboratory's system. This step checks that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.
Screening refers to a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require an additional confirmation.
Should a sample test as presumptive positive at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a lower concentration than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most sophisticated method to undertake.
Confirmation of any screening positive is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as needed. Both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards oversee the entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Northcote, MN, hair follicle testing is gaining traction over traditional urine tests. The method’s benefits include superior detection accuracy and increased reliability for assessing substance use.
In Northcote, MN, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing spans up to 90 days. This lengthy window offers employers a deeper understanding of a person's substance history.
By covering such a broad timeframe, hair tests contribute to more informed assessments of drug use behavior over an extended period. This translates into better-informed employment decisions and a more robust policy framework.
The city of Northcote, MN, benefits from hair follicle testing's tamper-resistant nature, which mitigates the risk of adulterated samples. This ensures unquestionable reliability in results.
The robustness of hair testing methods significantly diminishes the possibility of faked or adulterated test materials. This makes it a trustworthy process, supporting both regulatory compliance and peace of mind for those concerned about test authenticity.
Our presence in Northcote, MN, and across the nation makes hair follicle drug testing services highly accessible and convenient for all.
In Northcote, MN, the process for hair follicle tests is simple and confidential, prioritizing the user's privacy at every step. Clients can easily order, undergo testing, and receive their results.
The confidentiality aspect of the process ensures all personal and test-related information is securely handled, addressing concerns surrounding privacy and personal security while maintaining ease of access throughout.
Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times characterize hair follicle testing services in Northcote, MN. These aspects provide significant value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes.
Offering competitive pricing structures ensures that businesses can balance cost-effectiveness without sacrificing the speed and reliability of test results, enhancing the overall value of the service.
For those in Northcote, MN, hair follicle drug tests provide results with unparalleled precision and speed. High accuracy in discerning substance use makes them a preferred choice for reliable outcomes.
The efficacy of hair testing lies not just in its precision but also in the swiftness of the results. This ensures that the need for timely decisions regarding drug use cases is met effectively, offering a reliable solution in the quest for accuracy.
Hair follicle testing in Northcote, MN, enhances compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly reducing legal risks. Employers gain peace of mind from assured adherence to regulations.
Implementing these tests not only fortifies workplace safety but also reinforces the commitment to maintaining drug-free environments, offering a safeguard against potential liabilities.
