At Accredited Drug Testing, we offer comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Montgomery, Pennsylvania. Whether it's for drugs or alcohol, our expertise lies in hair-based testing, and our centers are conveniently located in cities throughout the country. Generally, around 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body is needed. These tests can identify drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other specific testing requirements.
Recently, hair follicle drug testing has gained popularity as a preferred method over traditional urine testing. Employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse counselors often choose hair tests for their stringent drug-use policies. Hair testing is favored because it offers up to a 90-day detection period, is conducted under clear observation, and is highly difficult to tamper with. Despite these benefits, urine tests remain the preferred choice for drug use detection within the last 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 recognized as a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by trapping indicators within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, and those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for a drug test result involves four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves incorporating a sample into the laboratory’s system initially. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening includes a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples preliminarily positive during Screening require subsequent confirmation.
Should a sample show a preliminary positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is implemented via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is validated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.
Benefits of hair drug testing:
Drawbacks:
Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Tests Outperform Urine Tests in Montgomery, PA
Compared to the traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection and reliability. Its extensive detection window allows for a better assessment of long-term substance use, providing more thorough insights than urine analysis.
Employers often favor hair testing for its tamper-proof nature and extended detection period. Unlike urine tests, which can be unreliable due to short detection windows or potential sample adulteration, hair tests offer a more constant stream of data about drug usage patterns.
Extended Detection Period in Montgomery, PA
Hair follicle testing offers a longer detection timeline, capturing drug use over up to 90 days. This extended period gives employers and authorities a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance history, crucial for making informed decisions.
By opting for hair follicle tests, an organization can better evaluate both prospective and current employees, ensuring a safe and clean workplace environment. This method supports responsible employment practices by highlighting any drug use patterns.
Montgomery, PA’s Tamper-Resistant Testing
Reducing the risk of tampering, hair follicle tests guarantee reliable and irrefutable results. Its resistant nature makes it a trustworthy resource for individuals and organizations seeking accurate drug testing methods.
Unlike other testing methods, hair tests offer a clear advantage by substantially minimizing the chance of adulteration. This ensures the outcomes remain consistent and reliable over time, thereby providing stakeholders with peace of mind.
Convenient Testing Centers Nationwide and in Montgomery, PA
Our expansive network includes testing centers across the nation, simplifying access to services. This ensures the process remains streamlined and effortless, accommodating all testing needs without any hassle.
Locally in Montgomery, PA, these centers bring convenience to patrons, providing timely and accessible routes to information and testing. Clients receive consistent service no matter the location, adopting a worry-free approach.
Simplified and Confidential Testing in Montgomery, PA
The process for ordering and conducting hair follicle tests is straightforward, ensuring confidentiality at each step. Every element, from order placement to result acquisition, is crafted with privacy and simplicity in mind.
Clients can rest assured that each test is processed with sensitivity towards privacy concerns, making the procedure not only simple but also secure and trustworthy.
Affordable Solutions with Quick Turnaround in Montgomery, PA
Our competitive pricing models combined with fast processing times offer excellent value for businesses of all sizes. You've found a solution that doesn’t compromise quality while providing reassurance and prompt results.
Companies benefit from effective budget management and timely data, driving informed decision-making processes without incurring unnecessary delays or expenses.
Ensuring accuracy and swiftness in drug detection, hair follicle tests in Montgomery, PA, provide results that are both precise and quick. Fast, reliable results make them an ideal solution for comprehensively understanding substance use.
With a focus on high accuracy, hair follicle testing delivers insights that are critical to making informed decisions. This precision is paramount, especially when quick turnaround times are necessary for hiring or compliance issues.
Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Montgomery, PA
By implementing hair follicle testing, compliance with drug-free workplace initiatives is seamlessly ensured. Companies benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced safety standards when opting for this robust testing method.
Allowing employers to maintain a drug-free environment, hair testing reduces potential workplace hazards. This not only meets regulatory standards but also boosts organizational trust and reliability.
