Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Laurel Bay, South Carolina. Whether you require hair drug or alcohol testing, we specialize in hair analysis and have centers available nationwide to conduct these tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of scalp or body hair is sufficient for testing. We can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or customize tests based on your needs.
Over time, hair follicle drug tests have become a preferred method for drug screening. Employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals increasingly favor this method over standard urine tests. It's particularly useful for organizations with zero-tolerance policies. Hair drug tests extend the drug use detection window to up to 90 days and are collected under supervision, making them hard to cheat. However, urine tests are more precise for detecting recent drug use within the last five 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 samples are increasingly recognized as an effective means to identify substance usage. Hair can capture enduring records of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within its strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drug presence. Collecting hair is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is suggested. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen’s weight. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. Scalp hair refers exclusively to head hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The four principal phases in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This phase ensures proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entries not available through an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides an initial rapid examination for drug use. Though Screening offers a cost-effective means to eliminate drug consumption in most cases, positive results require validation to be legally defensible. Samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.
If a presumptive positive is detected during the Screening phase, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. Drugs in the Extraction phase are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of positive screens is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives undergo a washing procedure as needed before confirmation. The entire lab process spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Laurel Bay, SC, offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis provides a much longer detection window, capturing drug usage patterns over a 90-day period. This extended period offers employers a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance use habits.
Hair follicle tests are less susceptible to manipulation, whereas urine tests can often be altered or diluted. This inherent reliability makes hair testing a preferred choice for organizations intent on maintaining a drug-free environment.
The extended detection window of hair follicle testing is one of its main advantages, specifically in Laurel Bay, SC. Unlike other testing methods, a hair test can reflect substance use over the last 90 days, providing a comprehensive history of an individual's drug intake. This helps employers evaluate long-term drug use patterns, ensuring that potential hires or employees are assessed more accurately.
Such sensitive and historical insight into substance use behavior aids in making informed decisions that impact workplace safety and productivity, offering a powerful evaluation tool for HR policies.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug tests significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This is particularly useful in Laurel Bay, SC, where reliable results are crucial. Because hair samples are collected directly from the body, altering them is almost impossible, unlike urine samples which can be swapped or diluted.
This reliability ensures that the results are trustworthy and accurate, giving employers, courts, and individuals an unequivocal view of an individual's substance use history. This integrity is what sets hair testing apart from other methods.
The availability of convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Laurel Bay, SC, eases the logistical burden of drug testing. With multiple sites across the country, individuals and employers can access testing services quickly and efficiently, ensuring that the process is hassle-free.
This convenience means that whether you are at home or traveling, finding a testing location nearby is simple. The accessibility of these services ensures that testing can be incorporated seamlessly into an organization's or individual's routine.
The hair follicle drug testing process in Laurel Bay, SC, is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to sample collection and result delivery, each step is designed to safeguard privacy and provide ease of use for the individual being tested.
Individuals can rest assured that their personal information is handled discreetly, with results shared only with authorized parties. This confidentiality allows for a more comfortable testing experience, reducing concerns about privacy breaches.
In terms of affordability, hair follicle testing in Laurel Bay, SC, is competitive, offering great value for businesses of all sizes. The cost-effectiveness of this testing method is complemented by a fast turnaround time, ensuring that results are delivered promptly.
This combination of affordability and speed is ideal for companies needing quick and reliable drug screening solutions, enhancing their ability to make timely employment decisions without overspending.
In Laurel Bay, SC, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures that even small traces of substances used within the last 90 days are detected. With a standardized and rigorous analysis process, the accuracy of the results is unmatched, offering peace of mind to those needing definitive proof of substance use.
Employers and individuals alike can trust the reliability of these tests. The quick turnaround time from sample collection to result delivery makes hair follicle tests an indispensable tool for timely decision-making, whether for employment purposes or personal assurance.
Employers in Laurel Bay, SC, can achieve compliance and peace of mind by incorporating hair follicle testing into their drug-free workplace policies. This method not only ensures adherence to safety regulations but also minimizes legal risks associated with drug use in the workplace.
By reducing the probability of hiring or retaining substance users, companies promote workplace safety and enhance overall productivity. The assurance provided by consistent, accurate testing results can greatly enhance an employer's confidence in their workforce's reliability.
