Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing in Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania. For those requiring a hair drug or alcohol examination, we excel in hair testing with facilities available in every city across the U.S. A minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair is needed from the crown or body. Hair tests can identify drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored testing criteria.
Lately, hair follicle tests have increasingly been incorporated into drug screening routines. Many employers, courts, and Substance Abuse therapists now prefer hair tests over standard urine assessments. These tests support organizations with zero-tolerance policies, judicial systems, and probationers. Their key advantage is a longer detection span, reaching up to 90 days, ensuring an observed collection process and making deception nearly impossible. Nevertheless, urine analysis remains most reliable for spotting drug use within the past 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.
Hair testing is now a recognized method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields approximately 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. The specimen should ideally be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. In our context, head hair means scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial and axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary stage where a sample is processed into the lab’s system. This stage involves checking that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening acts as the first swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Though it serves as a cost-efficient method for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screening result will need confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples exhibiting presumptive positive outcomes in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptive positive during the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. In this stage, substances are derived from hair at markedly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques to implement.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples suggestive of positive results undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as meeting ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes hair strands, not the follicles beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Carroll Valley, PA
The key benefits of hair testing over urine are its higher detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests provide a more comprehensive understanding of substance use history, encompassing a longer detection window. This makes them especially effective for workplace screenings.
Extended Detection Window in Carroll Valley, PA
Hair follicle testing can detect drug use for as long as 90 days, offering employers a deeper insight into an individual's substance history. This extended detection period provides a thorough overview, critical for making informed hiring or policy enforcement decisions.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Carroll Valley, PA
Hair follicle tests reduce sample tampering, securing test integrity. Their resistance to adulteration equates to trustworthy results, a major benefit for occupational and legal proceedings, where authenticity is paramount.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Carroll Valley, PA
Our conveniently located testing centers, both nationwide and local to Carroll Valley, ensure effortless access to hair testing services, supporting users with easy, stress-free procedures across the country.
Simple, Confidential Process in Carroll Valley, PA
Our hair testing process is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns efficiently. The seamless ordering, testing, and result delivery ensure user comfort, maintaining discretion at each step.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Carroll Valley, PA
Competitive pricing and rapid result processing distinguish our hair testing services. These factors deliver exceptional value, proving advantageous for businesses of varying sizes seeking cost-effective, quick testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Carroll Valley, PA
Our hair follicle testing offers fast, precise results, marking significant accuracy in spotting substance consumption compared to traditional methods. This swiftness, paired with its reliability, sets it apart, ensuring promptness and efficiency for employers in Carroll Valley and beyond.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Carroll Valley, PA
With hair testing, employers ensure compliance with drug-free policies, minimizing legal exposure. This method promotes safer, drug-free environments, fostering peace of mind and reinforcing commitment to safety standards.