In Herculaneum, Missouri, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing. We specialize in hair drug and alcohol testing, with centers available nationwide to conduct the tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body can be used for these tests. Hair analysis can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized for other testing.
Recently, hair follicle drug tests have increasingly become part of drug testing methods. Employers, courts, and substance abuse experts are favoring hair tests over standard urine tests. These tests are utilized by organizations with zero-tolerance drug policies and are crucial for probationary purposes. The key advantage is a detection window up to 90 days, offering an observed collection that's almost impossible to tamper with. However, urine tests remain most effective for recent drug use, typically within 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 analysis has emerged as an impactful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it develops. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide up to roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to send.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. When head hair is mentioned, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair implies all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four pivotal steps in processing a drug test result in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails importing a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process verifies that the sample was securely sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial, rapid drug abuse check. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair at a concentration lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is a particularly challenging methodology.
Positively screened samples undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initial positive samples are washed pre-confirmation as required. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the complete laboratory process is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels
In Herculaneum, MO, hair follicle tests present several advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair testing exposes a much longer history of drug use, providing a more accurate and reliable detection method. The difficulty in evading hair tests makes them a preferred choice for comprehensive substance assessments, ensuring more dependable results.
Extended Detection Benefits
One of the standout advantages of hair follicle testing in Herculaneum, MO, is the extended detection window. Unlike other methods, hair testing can trace drug use up to 90 days back. This offers employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history, aiding in more informed decision-making processes.
Tamper-Resistant Assurance
Hair follicle tests in Herculaneum, MO, are inherently tamper-resistant, drastically minimizing the risk of sample alteration. The method's resistance to manipulation ensures that the outcomes are dependable and unquestionable, safeguarding the integrity of testing results and providing peace of mind to stakeholders.
Convenient Testing Locations
The convenience of having nationwide testing centers along with local availability in Herculaneum, MO, offers a seamless testing process. Quick and hassle-free access to testing services ensures that individuals and organizations can undergo tests easily, without sacrificing valuable time or effort.
Confidential and Simple Process
In Herculaneum, MO, the process for ordering and completing a hair follicle drug test is designed to be simple and confidential. From appointment scheduling to receiving your test results, the focus remains on privacy and usability, enabling participants to engage with the process comfortably and securely.
Affordable and Fast Services
Offering competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Herculaneum, MO, provides excellent value for businesses. These cost-effective solutions do not compromise on quality, delivering affordable testing with a promise of fast and accurate results.
Fast and Reliable Results
Hair follicle drug tests in Herculaneum, MO, are known for their accuracy and speed. These tests provide not only rapid results but also ensure a high level of precision in detecting substance use. In comparison to other methods, hair testing delivers the most reliable data, enabling timely decision-making and enhancing trust in the testing process.
Employer Compliance and Assurance
By adopting hair follicle testing methods in Herculaneum, MO, employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only reduces potential legal issues but also promotes a safer working environment. It provides employers the assurance needed to maintain rigorous safety and policy standards.
