Expertly administering comprehensive hair follicle drug tests, Accredited Drug Testing serves Gaston, South Carolina. Whether you're seeking to test for drugs or alcohol, our dedicated centers nationwide are equipped to perform these assessments, requiring 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body. Hair analysis can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, and offers tailored testing options.
Recently, drug testing practices have leaned towards hair follicle tests, increasingly favored by employers, courts, and Substance Abuse professionals over traditional urine tests. Hair follicle exams serve organizations enforcing strict no-drug-use policies, judicial systems, and probationary requirements. Its edge is a longer detection period, spanning up to 90 days, during a supervised collection. Despite this, urine tests remain favored for detecting recent drug use within five days, ensuring precision.
* 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 has become recognized as an effective instrument for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. A collection near the scalp can offer an approximate detection period of three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning refers to the initial processing of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for court admittance. Samples showing presumptive positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.
If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples are washed as needed. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the complete laboratory process is examined in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself and not on the follicle beneath the scalp
In Gaston, SC, hair follicle testing offers notable advantages over traditional urine tests by highlighting greater accuracy and reliability. Hair tests detect drug use over a longer window, offering a thorough evaluation of an individual's substance use history. Conversely, urine tests often only identify recent use, missing patterns over time.
The enhanced detection timeframe and resilience to tampering make hair follicle tests a superior choice. Employers benefit from an extensive overview of an applicant or employee's drug use, allowing informed decisions that fuel safer, more compliant workplaces.
Employers in Gaston, SC, achieve a more comprehensive understanding of an individual’s substance history using hair follicle testing, thanks to its extended detection window. Hair tests are capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, contrasting with more limited urine tests.
This longer observation period provides a robust tool for monitoring substance use, making it invaluable to organizations committed to maintaining safety and compliance. Hair follicle testing's broad scope ensures employers aren't blindsided by recent abstinence, capturing a fuller behavioral picture.
One advantage of hair follicle testing in Gaston, SC, is its tamper-resistant nature, which minimizes the chances of sample adulteration. Unlike other methods prone to manipulation, hair testing offers reliable findings, which is crucial for maintaining integrity in screening processes.
The process ensures authenticity and correctness of results, providing credible evidence in workplace and legal contexts. This method contributes to trust in drug testing outcomes, making it a preferred choice for those requiring uncompromised accuracy in sensitive situations.
The convenience of our nationwide testing centers extends to Gaston, SC, facilitating quick and easy access to drug testing services. Our well-distributed locations ensure hassle-free processes, accommodating various needs effectively.
Local access means individuals and businesses can schedule tests without delay, receiving results promptly. The scalability of our services allows coverage across different regions, providing seamless continuity for clients both near and far.
In Gaston, SC, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be both simple and confidential, safeguarding your privacy. From ordering to receiving results, our streamlined approach minimizes complexity.
Emphasizing discretion, we ensure that information remains securely handled, addressing concerns of privacy. Clients can trust in a process that emphasizes both ease of use and confidentiality, making drug testing accessible and worry-free.
Offering competitive pricing and speedy results, our hair follicle testing services in Gaston, SC, provide exceptional value for companies of every size. Efficient turnaround times mean you receive results when you need them.
This affordability, coupled with prompt service, makes our testing a smart choice for businesses. By balancing cost-effectiveness with rapid delivery, we support organizational needs, allowing companies to allocate resources wisely while ensuring safety and compliance.
Gaston, SC, benefits from the swift and precise capabilities of hair follicle drug tests, lauded for their exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use. Hair tests deliver rapid results, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions confidently. Their advanced methodologies ensure reliable detection unmatched by other testing options.
The ability to capture substance use accurately defines hair follicle tests' leading position. Their reliability stems from sophisticated technology, providing peace of mind for those needing assured results promptly. This innovative testing method supports both individuals and organizations in maintaining drug-free environments effectively.
For employers in Gaston, SC, using hair follicle testing ensures alignment with workplace drug-free policies, significantly reducing legal risks and reinforcing safety. This method's thoroughness offers a foundation for building a compliant work atmosphere.
Implementing hair testing supports proactive management of substance issues, promoting peace of mind. Its capacity to provide reliable evidence aids organizations in adhering to standards while ensuring effective and fair policy enforcement, preserving workplace integrity.