Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug tests in West Reading, Pennsylvania. When you require a drug or alcohol test via hair, our expertise in hair testing and a nationwide network of testing centers make it accessible in any city. Typically, you need hair measuring 1.5 to 2 inches from your scalp or body. Our hair analysis can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored testing options.
The reliance on hair follicle drug tests has increased over time for drug screening. Employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse professionals recommend hair drug tests as an alternative to urine tests. Hair tests serve zero-tolerance employers, courts, and probationers well. Their advantage is a longer detection time for drug use, commonly up to 90 days. Collected under observation, these tests are hard to manipulate. Yet, for detecting recent drug use within 5 days, the urine test remains more precise.
* 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 has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a prolonged history of substance usage by embedding biological markers within the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, it can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not available, a proportional quantity of body hair can be used. Referring to head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair is inclusive of all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning denotes the initial phase of integrating a sample into a lab’s system. It involves confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Lab Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift assessment for drug abuse indicators. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly approach to identify non-drug use in most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation to hold up in legal proceedings. Any samples with a probable positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.
Should a sample show a probable positive result at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation in the Extraction stage. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in concentrations significantly lower than other methods (such as urine or saliva), explaining why hair drug screening presents greater challenges.
Positive screening confirmations are performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation where required. The end-to-end laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres strictly to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation standards set by ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the procedure specifically analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
In West Reading, PA, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing in various ways. Detection accuracy is superior, identifying drug traces over extended periods, while urine tests only capture recent usage. This reliability makes hair tests more advantageous for long-term drug use surveillance.
The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in West Reading, PA offers a comprehensive view of substance use history, capturing up to 90 days of data. This capability provides employers an in-depth look into an individual's behavior, far beyond what standard methods reveal.
Hair follicle tests significantly lower the risk of tampering, giving West Reading, PA, entities assurance with undebatable results. The difficulty in adulterating such samples provides a method that's both reliable and trustworthy in sensitive testing scenarios.
With numerous nationwide testing centers, including in West Reading, PA, access to testing services is convenient and hassle-free. This widespread availability ensures quick and easy access, minimizing delays and maximizing efficiency in the testing process.
West Reading, PA, enjoys a simple and confidential hair testing process, addressing privacy and ease of use. From test ordering to results, the approach ensures a straightforward experience, providing peace of mind in maintaining confidentiality and simplicity.
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in West Reading, PA, deliver excellent value. From small businesses to large corporations, our services ensure cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality, promising peace of mind and efficient results.
Hair follicle drug tests boast precision and speed, making them an attractive option for substance detection in West Reading, PA. Their accuracy in tracing drug use surpasses other methods, ensuring reliable and timely results crucial for decision-making.
Using hair follicle tests ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies in West Reading, PA. This method reduces legal risks and bolsters workplace safety, offering employers peace of mind about maintaining high standards and safety protocols.
