Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services right here in Gulf, North Carolina. Should you require a hair drug or alcohol assessment, we are hair testing experts with facilities available across the nation to conduct these tests. An ideal sample involves 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body. These hair tests can examine the presence of drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored testing parameters.
In recent years, hair follicle drug testing has emerged as a common choice for conducting drug assessments. This method is being adopted by employers, courts, and Substance Abuse specialists who prefer it over the traditional urine test. This test is favored by organizations with zero-tolerance drug policies, judicial systems, and probationary processes. The main advantage is its extended detection window for substance use, up to 90 days, with almost no chance for manipulation. However, for drug screenings within the recent 5-day window, urine tests remain the most precise option.
* 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.
Considered an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption, hair testing offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. Collecting hair near the scalp yields a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. For those tests involving EtG, additional components, and/or those surpassing 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. Usage of a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is suggested. Should scalp hair not be an option, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair categories (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Four primary steps characterize the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial integration into a lab's operational system—this phase ensures proper sealing and shipping of samples, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data required aside from what an electronic chain of custody might offer.
Screening provides an initial assessment of sample for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-effective method to exclude drug consumption for most samples, samples yielding a positive result necessitate confirmation to hold legal validity. Presumptive positives from Screening prompt further confirmation.
For presumptive positives during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods such as urine or oral fluid, positioning hair drug testing as a particularly complex method to conduct.
Positive Screening outcomes undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are pre-confirmation cleansed as appropriate. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized in alignment with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the actual examination is conducted on the strand of hair rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering superior accuracy and reliability in drug detection. While traditional urine tests have shorter detection windows and higher potential for tampering, hair tests provide consistent results and a longer history of substance use, making them the preferred option in Gulf, NC.
Employers and organizations that prioritize accuracy choose hair testing over urine testing due to the extended detection period and reduced likelihood of manipulation. Hair tests stand out in their capability to offer an accurate analysis of drug use over time.
With the capability to detect substance use for up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history. This extended detection window allows Gulf, NC employers to assess long-term substance use effectively, ensuring informed hiring and retention decisions.
Unlike other methods, hair follicle testing's longer detection period provides a holistic approach to screening, granting businesses a critical assessment tool that captures an applicant or employee's behavioral patterns over an extended duration.
The integrity of hair follicle drug tests lies in their resistance to tampering, offering Gulf, NC employers reliable results. This method significantly reduces sample adulteration risks, ensuring test outcomes are accurate and trustworthy.
Providing peace of mind, hair testing virtually eliminates the possibility of sample manipulation, unlike urine tests where adulteration can compromise results. Employers can trust hair tests to deliver genuine and precise insights into substance use.
Accredited Drug Testing provides the convenience of numerous testing locations both nationwide and locally in Gulf, NC. With a wide network of centers, scheduling a test becomes seamless, ensuring quick access to testing services without hassle.
This comprehensive coverage guarantees that regardless of location, individuals and companies can easily avail drug testing services, simplifying the process and ensuring efficient and timely assessments.
The hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy for individuals in Gulf, NC. From ordering to sample collection and obtaining results, the simplicity ensures ease of use.
By emphasizing confidentiality and streamlined procedures, Accredited Drug Testing addresses concerns over privacy, making this drug testing method an attractive choice for those valuing discretion and simplicity.
Offering competitive pricing, Accredited Drug Testing ensures fast turnaround for businesses in Gulf, NC. This cost-effective option delivers excellent value, appealing to companies of all sizes looking for reliable testing solutions without breaking the budget.
Employers will find that affordable pricing paired with quick result delivery strengthens confidence in hair follicle testing, bringing peace of mind through judicious expenditure and efficient outcomes.
The speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests make them ideal solutions for substance detection in Gulf, NC. With advanced technologies, these tests deliver results that are fast and highly accurate, ensuring reliable assessments of substance history without the delays associated with other testing methods.
Employers and professionals seeking reliable drug screenings will find hair follicle tests invaluable due to their rapid turnaround and excellence in identifying substance use. These tests quickly verify the presence of drugs, thus aiding prompt decision-making and maintaining safety standards.
Implementing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, promoting safety and security in Gulf, NC. By choosing this method, employers comply with established standards, reducing legal risks and ensuring a safer work environment.
Employers benefit from the assurance that comes with compliant drug testing, knowing that hair tests help maintain policy adherence and minimize liabilities, ultimately fostering a harmonious and secure workplace.