In Belfast, Pennsylvania, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services. Our expertise in hair and alcohol testing is unparalleled, with facilities available in every major city across the nation. A minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body can usually be analyzed for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored testing solutions.
Recently, drug testing has increasingly adopted the hair follicle method. This approach is preferred by employers, legal bodies, and Substance Abuse professionals over the traditional urine test due to its benefits. With a detection window of about 90 days, the hair follicle test is favored for zero-tolerance drug policies and is considered highly secure against tampering. For short-term drug use, however, the urine test remains most accurate.
* 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 is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands as they grow, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When harvested near the scalp, this method can detect alcohol and drugs for a period of up to approximately three months. Hair sampling is easy to perform, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches long comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extended panels, and tests including over 10 panels, it is recommended to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, similar amounts of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for analyzing drug test results encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the first stage where a sample is logged into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient approach for eliminating drug use in most samples, positive results require confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that test positive in Screening need a secondary Confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive result, more hair is taken from the initial sample and set for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from the hair in significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug tests particularly challenging to conduct.
Positive screening results are confirmed using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed when necessary. The laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the underlying hair follicle.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Tests in Belfast, PA, lies in its unmatched reliability. Hair testing offers superior accuracy, catching drug use up to 90 days back, while urine tests have a much shorter detection window.
Hair testing also beats urine by minimizing risks of tampering. While urine tests cover recent substance use, hair tests provide a broader overview, valuable for every drug-free policy.
Extended Detection Window in Belfast, PA, is a key advantage of hair follicle testing. This method provides the capacity to trace drug use over a prolonged timeframe of up to 90 days.
For employers, this extended window offers a comprehensive picture of an individual's substance history, making it a preferred choice for pre-employment screenings and ongoing evaluations.
Tamper-Resistant Testing is vital in Belfast, PA, where hair follicle tests ensure trustworthy results. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less susceptible to manipulation, providing peace of mind to employers.
This method's robustness greatly reduces any risk of adulteration, ensuring results maintain their credibility and supporting the integrity of workplace drug policies.
Convenience of Testing Locations is apparent in Belfast, PA, where our centers provide nationwide testing access. This widespread availability ensures straightforward and hassle-free service.
Local facilities supplement this network, enabling efficient scheduling for those nearby, simplifying the logistics involved in getting tested through a seamless experience.
Simple and Confidential processes are guaranteed in Belfast, PA, where hair follicle testing is straightforward. From test ordering to results, the system respects privacy at every step.
Our discreet, user-friendly approach means individuals can confidently participate in drug tests, reassured by assured confidentiality and ease of access throughout the experience.
Affordable Pricing and fast service make hair follicle testing appealing in Belfast, PA. Quick turnaround times combined with cost-effective options deliver exceptional value across companies.
Regardless of their size, organizations enjoy competitive pricing, ensuring they receive dependable results quickly without straining resources, securing peace of mind economically.
Precision and Speed in Belfast, PA are defining features of hair follicle drug tests. These assessments offer exceptional accuracy, rapidly identifying substances with reliability unmatched by other methods.
Employers and authorities seeking fast, accurate confirmations choose hair follicle testing for efficient results. Scheduled in advance, these evaluations ensure prompt and precise findings. Trust the high accuracy of hair testing in detecting any substance use.
Compliance and Assurance are central to employers in Belfast, PA, using hair follicle testing to fortify drug-free workplace policies. It helps reduce legal liabilities and fosters a safer working environment.
Adopting hair testing ensures that businesses adhere to industry standards, delivering peace of mind knowing their processes support compliance and uphold workplace integrity.