At Accredited Drug Testing, we offer comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services right here in Gladstone, Missouri. If you're in need of a hair drug or alcohol test, our expertise and nationwide centers ensure you receive top-notch hair testing services. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair is required from the crown or body. Our testing can analyze drugs, alcohol/ETG, or offer customized hair testing options.
Hair follicle drug tests have gained popularity over the years for drug testing. A growing number of employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals now opt for hair testing over standard urine tests. Employers with zero-tolerance policies, courts, and probationary programs value this method. The key advantage is a longer detection period—up to 90 days—with nearly foolproof integrity, though urine tests remain optimal for recent drug use within five 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.
Seen as a potent method for recognizing drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing has gained prominence. Hair fibers capture biomarkers, creating a lengthy record of alcohol and other drug usage. When harvested near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.
By obtaining a 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, 100mg of hair can be acquired, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirming tests. For tests like EtG or panels exceeding ten, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair lacks availability, an equivalent portion of body hair can be substituted. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is about the initial integration of a sample within a lab's system. This step validates the sealing and proper shipping of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any outstanding data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a swift preliminary check for drug abuse. Though cost-efficient for excluding drug use in numerous samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for courtroom validity. Samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.
Should a sample yield a presumptively positive result in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial batch for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of positive results from screening employs methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo pre-confirmation washing as necessary. The complete laboratory protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis targets the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Gladstone, MO, the benefits are clear. Hair testing offers a longer detection window, providing more reliable and comprehensive results. This superior accuracy ensures better enforcement of zero-tolerance policies.
Employers in Gladstone, MO, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests. Unlike urine tests, which only cover recent usage, hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days back. This offers a detailed understanding of an individual's substance history.
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of tampering. In Gladstone, MO, this method is valued for its reliability and integrity, offering results that are difficult to adulterate and ensuring that sample integrity is preserved from start to finish.
With convenient testing locations across the nation, and local centers in Gladstone, MO, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. Our nationwide network ensures quick and accessible services to meet testing needs efficiently.
The process of hair follicle testing in Gladstone, MO is simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are streamlined to ensure privacy and ease. This approach addresses any concerns about confidentiality while providing seamless service.
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Gladstone, MO. Our affordable solutions guarantee excellent value and timely results, accommodating businesses of all sizes with budget-friendly, efficient drug testing services.
Fast, accurate, and reliable results are paramount in the world of drug testing. In Gladstone, MO, hair follicle drug tests excel in delivering precise results swiftly. They boast high accuracy in identifying substance use, making them a trusted choice for employers and courts alike.
Employers in Gladstone, MO, find compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and fostering a safer work environment, keeping businesses in line with regulatory standards.
