Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments in Courtdale, Pennsylvania. Whether you require a screening for drugs or alcohol, our expertise in hair testing is unmatched, with facilities spread across the nation, ready to conduct these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head is needed, but body hair can also be utilized. Our assessments can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or cater to other specified testing needs.
The rise in hair follicle drug testing has been notable. Increasingly, various sectors such as employers, judicial entities, and substance abuse specialists prefer hair drug tests over traditional urine tests. Hair follicle testing is prioritized by employers with strict drug prohibition policies, legal proceedings, and for those on probation. Its significant advantage is the extended period of detection, which can be as long as 90 days, collected under direct observation, making it extremely difficult to manipulate. Yet, for drug use within the past 5 days, urine remains the most precise method.
* 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 recognized as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in growing hair strands. If collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to nearly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the ideal sample quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When referring to head hair, it implies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug testing result processing in the laboratory involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial sample handling into a lab’s system. It involves checking the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that is not included via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary rapid check for drugs. Although Screening efficiently eliminates drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for it to be accepted legally. Any samples that show a presumptively positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.
If the Screening phase shows a presumptive positive, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (i.e., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is done on the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.
When comparing the benefits of hair follicle versus urine testing in Courtdale, PA, hair testing emerges superior. One significant advantage is its ability to trace drug use over a longer period. While urine may detect recent use, hair tests present a detailed consumption history, often covering up to 90 days, thus unveiling patterns missed by traditional urine analysis.
Additionally, hair follicle testing's accuracy in detecting substances is noteworthy. Unlike urine tests that might be susceptible to false negatives, hair analysis offers a level of precision that highlights even intermittent drug use. This ability ensures that potential substance misuse does not go unnoticed, providing more reliable data for decision-making processes.
Hair follicle testing in Courtdale, PA, excels in offering an extended detection window, providing insights into substance consumption over an impressive period of up to 90 days. This comprehensive view into one's drug-use history far exceeds the shorter detection timeframe of other testing methods.
This prolonged period offers employers invaluable insights, allowing them to form a full picture of an applicant's or employee's past substance interactions. By understanding usage patterns over several months, businesses can make informed decisions that help foster a safe and productive workplace.
One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Courtdale, PA, is its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods that might be vulnerable to sample adulteration, hair tests provide results that are inherently difficult to manipulate.
This high resistance to tampering ensures the integrity of the results, offering a reliable foundation upon which decisions can be based. With hair tests, there is an added assurance that the outcomes are genuine and untainted, delivering peace of mind to all involved parties.
With a vast network of testing facilities, Courtdale, PA stands out with its convenient hair follicle testing locations. Our nationwide centers, including local ones, make access to testing services easy and hassle-free.
Whether you require a test in a nearby facility or across state lines, our centers are designed to provide efficient and comfortable testing experiences. This ease of access shortens wait times and enhances the overall client experience, ensuring prompt and reliable service.
In Courtdale, PA, the process of hair follicle testing emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is designed to prioritize privacy while ensuring straightforward execution.
This focus on a seamless process not only addresses concerns regarding ease of use but also reassures clients about the respect for their privacy. The result is a testing method that is both user-friendly and confidential, meeting the high standards expected of such services.
Hair follicle testing in Courtdale, PA stands out not just for its reliability but also for its affordability. Our competitive pricing structures are tailored to meet the financial considerations of businesses of all sizes.
Adding to the value offered by our pricing is the rapid turnaround time. This combination of affordability and speed ensures that businesses receive excellent service and dependable results, enabling them to make timely decisions without burdening their budgets.
The precision and expediency of hair follicle drug tests in Courtdale, PA, make them a top choice for accurate substance detection. Hair tests offer unparalleled accuracy, acknowledging even the most minute traces of substances. This reliability ensures that results can be trusted, significantly boosting confidence in the conclusions drawn from hair follicle analysis.
Moreover, the speed at which hair follicle tests deliver results further sets them apart. With quick processing times, individuals and entities can obtain findings rapidly, facilitating swift decision-making. This rapidity combined with its high precision makes hair testing an invaluable tool in modern substance detection protocols.
Implementing hair follicle testing in Courtdale, PA, offers employers peace of mind by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. The robustness and detailed findings from hair testing play a vital role in upholding these standards.
Beyond compliance, hair testing also diminishes legal liabilities and enhances workplace safety. By aligning with these testing practices, employers can foster an environment of safety and trust, ensuring peace of mind for both management and employees.