In Cranbury, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services. Whether it's a drug or alcohol screening, our expertise in hair testing is supported by nationwide centers. A hair sample of 1.5 to 2 inches from the head or body is typically needed. These tests can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specialized options.
Recently, hair follicle drug testing has become a preferred method in substance screening. Both employers with strict drug policies and legal systems often opt for this over urine testing. The key advantage of hair follicle tests lies in their extended detection window of up to 90 days, being collected under observation, and offering minimal chance for tampering. However, for detecting drug use within the last 5 days, urine tests remain most effective.
* 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 method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by incorporating biomarkers within the hair fiber as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal substance usage over a span of up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield a sample of 100mg, which is ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, specific add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't an option, a similar volume of body hair can be utilized. "Head hair" indicates only scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The testing process in a lab involves four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is introduced into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data entry that's missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for illicit substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug consumption for most samples, a positive result from the screening stage must be verified for it to be valid in legal settings. Any samples that test positive need a follow-up confirmation.
In cases of presumptive positive results during Screening, more hair is obtained from the original sample and readied for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more intricate procedure.
Positive results in Screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples marked presumptive positive are washed as needed. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the skin.
Hair follicle testing stands out in Cranbury, NJ, by offering a more accurate and reliable drug detection method compared to urine tests. One significant advantage is its ability to detect drugs over a longer period, making it superior for employers needing extensive substance histories. The hair test's accuracy and tamper-proof nature provide unmatched reliability, making it the preferred choice for many.
For comprehensive substance screening, hair follicle tests in Cranbury, NJ offer an extended detection window, up to 90 days. This longer timeframe allows employers to gain a full understanding of an individual’s substance use history. In contrast to urine tests, which have a shorter detection period, hair tests can reveal consistent patterns of use, offering valuable insights into an applicant or employee's behavior over time.
Hair follicle testing in Cranbury, NJ offers an advantage by being highly tamper-resistant. The method virtually eliminates sample adulteration risks, ensuring accurate and trustworthy results. Unlike urine tests, which may be manipulated, hair tests are conducted under observation, providing an additional layer of security. This reliability makes hair follicle tests indispensable for organizations requiring definitive results.
In Cranbury, NJ, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide and local testing center access. This expansive network provides quick and hassle-free testing services, ensuring that individuals and companies can easily meet their testing needs. With centers available nationwide and locally, scheduling and completing tests become a streamlined process, greatly improving the user experience.
The hair follicle testing process in Cranbury, NJ is simple and guarantees confidentiality. The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, maintaining privacy at all stages. This transparent approach reassures users and employers about the security of their personal information, demonstrating a commitment to a respectful and discreet testing experience.
Offering competitive pricing and quick processing in Cranbury, NJ, hair follicle drug testing provides exceptional value. Affordable pricing structures make this method accessible to businesses of all sizes. Coupled with fast turnaround, companies receive reliable results promptly, enhancing decision-making capabilities while maintaining cost-effectiveness, ensuring a high return on investment for their testing needs.
In Cranbury, NJ, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and dependable results. Their precision in detecting substances makes them a preferred choice. Quick processing ensures that results are returned swiftly, facilitating timely decision-making. Accuracy in identifying a range of substances further enhances their reliability, providing confidence in the outcomes of the tests conducted locally.
Using hair follicle testing in Cranbury, NJ provides employers peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. This method significantly reduces the risk of litigation and enhances workplace safety. Implementing hair tests safeguards organizations against legal complications, reinforcing employee sobriety and compliance. The reliability of results aligns with zero-tolerance policies, offering increased workplace security.