Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug evaluations in Lakewood, SC. If a hair drug or alcohol assessment is required, Accredited Drug Testing is proficient in hair analysis, with centers available nationwide for conducting hair tests. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of head or body hair is needed. These tests can detect substances like drugs, alcohol/ETG, or customized options.
In recent trends, drug testing increasingly incorporates hair follicle tests. Employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse specialists are preferring hair tests over standard urine tests. Such tests are favored by employers with strict drug policies, courts, and probationary departments. A key advantage of hair tests is the extended detection period, typically up to 90 days, with observed collection ensuring accuracy and making it difficult to sabotage. Yet for recent drug use within 5 days, urine tests remain most accurate.
* 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 emerged as a potent method for identifying substance and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term account of alcohol and other substances by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection range of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest assessing the weight of the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing process is comprised of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning constitutes the initial stage of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude substance use in the majority of samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. All samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample shows tentative positivity in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, substances are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for hair drug screening being the most intricate methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result proceeds via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positive results undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why do hair follicle tests outshine urine tests in Lakewood, SC? Hair testing presents numerous advantages over conventional methods. Firstly, it boasts a wider detection period compared to urine tests, highlighting a history of substance use rather than recent usage alone.
Furthermore, accuracy is paramount in hair testing. Unlike urine tests, hair samples can't be easily swapped or tampered with, offering unparalleled reliability. This is crucial for employers and other stakeholders who require integrity in testing processes.
In Lakewood, SC, hair follicle testing stands out for its extended detection window. This method allows for the identification of substance use over a period of up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive view of an individual’s history rather than just recent behavior.
The extended window is particularly beneficial for employers looking to make informed hiring or retention decisions. Understanding long-term substance use patterns can be crucial in maintaining a drug-free workplace and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
One of the great benefits of hair follicle tests in Lakewood, SC is their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other drug tests, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring that results remain uncontested and providing reassurance to employers and other stakeholders.
This assurance of integrity in testing is invaluable, as it reduces the risk of manipulation and fraud. Employers can fully trust the reliability of hair testing when making decisions based on the results.
A benefit of choosing hair follicle testing in Lakewood, SC is the accessibility of our convenient nationwide testing locations. With our widespread centers, individuals, and organizations enjoy quick and hassle-free testing services.
Local availability ensures that getting tested is a straightforward process, reducing travel time and stress associated with testing procedures. This ease of access contributes to more efficient operations for both individual test-takers and organizations.
Residents of Lakewood, SC, experience a simple and confidential process when it comes to hair follicle testing. Our procedures prioritize ease of use, letting individuals easily order, take, and receive test results without a hitch.
Privacy is paramount, ensuring sensitive information remains secure throughout the process. This assurance allows test-takers to participate in testing without concerns about data breaches or personal exposure, maintaining trust in the system.
In Lakewood, SC, our hair follicle testing services offer affordable pricing along with a fast turnaround time. These services provide excellent value to companies of all sizes, accommodating budgetary constraints while delivering high-quality results.
Our competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses can access premium testing without excessive expenses, while the quick turnaround times ensure that they have the necessary information swiftly to make informed decisions.
In Lakewood, SC, hair follicle drug testing delivers fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method ensures high precision in detecting substance use, offering results that surpass traditional tests. Such reliability allows individuals and professionals to trust the results for making informed decisions.
Precision is key when it comes to hair follicle testing. The tests offer rapid results, typically within a few days, eliminating the lengthy waiting period often associated with other testing methods. This ensures employers and professionals can quickly respond to potential issues.
Employers in Lakewood, SC gain significant peace of mind using hair follicle tests to ensure compliance with drug-free policies. This approach significantly reduces legal and safety risks by thoroughly assessing employees’ substance use history.
With hair testing, employers can align with regulatory guidelines effectively, minimizing liabilities and creating a safer, more efficient workplace. Such measures enhance trust and performance within the organization, contributing to overall success.
