Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug analysis services in Laurel Gardens, Pennsylvania. For those seeking hair-based drug or alcohol testing, Accredited Drug Testing is the expert, with centers available in cities nationwide to administer such tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body is required for these tests, which can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored options.
Hair follicle drug testing has become a preferred method for many employers, courts, and Substance Abuse Experts over the conventional urine test. It's chosen by employers enforcing strict drug-free policies, legal systems, and probation services due to its longer detection window—up to 90 days—alongside its observed collection process, which makes it nearly tamper-proof. However, urine tests remain the most precise for recent drug use detection within the past 5 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 recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair effectively records a long-term history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand’s fibers. When harvested near the scalp, hair can detect alcohol and drugs over a period of roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch hair sample of about 200 strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, an optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and any tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
There are four primary steps in lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning covers the initial processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any leftover data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a budget-friendly way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to stand in court. Presumptive positives in Screening, therefore, need secondary confirmation.
Should a sample be considered presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are pulled from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other testing methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening the most complex method to perform.
Confirmation of positive screening results uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are pre-washed before confirmation if necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Laurel Gardens, PA
When it comes to detecting drug use, hair follicle testing has proven to be superior to traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer a more extensive detection window, allowing for substance use observation over a larger time frame, generally up to 90 days.
Additionally, hair tests minimize the risk of cheating, providing reliable results by utilizing samples less prone to tampering, making them more advantageous for maintaining stringent drug-free policies.
Extended Detection Window in Laurel Gardens, PA
Hair follicle tests provide a broad detection window, capable of revealing drug use history over approximately 90 days. This extended period allows employers to gain comprehensive insights into an individual's past substance use.
The extended detection capability significantly aids employers in assessing an applicant or employee's long-term drug use trends, promoting better decision-making in hiring or maintaining a safe work environment.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Laurel Gardens, PA
The inherent nature of hair follicle testing significantly decreases the likelihood of sample adulteration. This method's structure makes it incredibly challenging to manipulate results, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.
Employers and institutions favor this test due to its reliability, which comes from using biological samples less susceptible to tampering compared to other drug testing methods like urine tests.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Laurel Gardens, PA
Accredited Drug Testing provides accessible testing locations nationwide, including in Laurel Gardens, PA, making it easy for individuals to access necessary services.
Our comprehensive network of testing centers offers localized, hassle-free services, ensuring that individuals have convenient and fast access to testing no matter where they are situated.
Simple, Confidential Process in Laurel Gardens, PA
Our drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every step from ordering to results delivery.
Participants can have confidence in the privacy of their procedures, knowing their samples are handled discreetly, and results are communicated securely, streamlining the entire experience for ease and confidentiality.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Laurel Gardens, PA
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing for hair follicle tests without compromising quality, providing excellent value for companies of any size.
The quick processing and efficient turnaround times ensure businesses can trust the timely delivery of results, reinforcing peace of mind with cost-effective, reliable services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Laurel Gardens, PA
Hair follicle drug tests deliver swift and precise results, becoming a preferred choice for detecting substance use with high accuracy. The meticulous analysis of hair samples ensures a detailed insight into drug use patterns that enhances the credibility of test results.
These tests provide a rapid turnaround time without compromising precision, making them ideal for situations where quick verification of an individual's substance use history is needed, ensuring a reliable outcome.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Laurel Gardens, PA
Implementing hair follicle testing within workplace drug programs ensures adherence to drug-free policies, fostering a safer work environment and minimizing legal liabilities.
This testing method supports maintaining policy compliance, offering reassurance and peace of mind to employers by reliably verifying employees' drug-free status, which aligns with company safety standards.
