Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Ridgeway, South Carolina. If you require testing for drugs or alcohol via hair samples, our expertise encompasses this method, and we operate centers in cities Nationwide equipped to conduct such tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body is needed. This method can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored testing options.
Recently, hair follicle drug tests have become a preferred method for screening, as they are increasingly utilized by employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse professionals. Employers with stringent drug-free policies favor hair tests over traditional urine tests. The key advantage of hair testing is its extended detection window for drugs, generally up to 90 days, and the observation during sample collection, reducing the chance of tampering. Nonetheless, for detection of very recent substance use within 5 days, urine tests remain the most reliable.
* 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 assessments have gained recognition as an effective means for detecting substance use. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers over time, providing a historical footprint of substance exposure. Sampling hair near the scalp can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
To acquire an optimal specimen for analysis and validation, a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields about 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. In cases where scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When discussing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory drug testing process consists of four core phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is processed into the lab's system. This process involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial preliminary check for substances. Though Screening offers a cost-efficient method to largely rule out drug intake, any positive result must undergo confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening require secondary verification.
In the event of a positive indication in the Screening stage, a further portion of hair is prepared from the original sample for Extraction. This step involves isolating substances from hair at a lower concentration relative to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid tests), contributing to the complexity of hair drug assessment.
For any positive results from the Screening, Confirmation is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with tentative results are cleaned before confirmation as warranted. The complete laboratory assessment, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ridgeway, SC
Hair follicle testing is superior to traditional urine tests due to its longer detection period and reliability. Unlike urine testing, which typically detects drugs used in the past few days, hair tests can reveal substance use history up to 90 days prior. This makes them a preferable choice for employers and legal entities in Ridgeway, ensuring a thorough assessment of an individual's drug use history.
Extended Detection Window in Ridgeway, SC
Hair follicle tests offer a significant advantage with their extended detection window of up to 90 days in Ridgeway, SC. This extended period allows employers to gain a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance history, providing valuable insights that are simply not achievable with shorter-window tests like those using urine samples.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ridgeway, SC
The hair follicle drug test is inherently resistant to tampering, thus ensuring the integrity and reliability of results in Ridgeway, SC. Unlike urine samples, which can be adulterated, the collection process for hair testing is observed, making it nearly impossible to cheat, providing peace of mind for employers seeking trustworthy drug screening.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ridgeway, SC
Our wide network of testing centers, including local options in Ridgeway, SC, provides unparalleled convenience. Nationwide accessibility ensures that individuals and businesses can avail of hair follicle drug testing services quickly and hassle-free, streamlining the entire process from start to finish.
Simple, Confidential Process in Ridgeway, SC
The hair follicle testing process in Ridgeway, SC, is designed to be straightforward and private. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are handled with utmost confidentiality, reducing concerns over privacy while ensuring ease of use. This process addresses the need for accurate and discreet drug screening effectively.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ridgeway, SC
We provide competitive pricing for hair follicle drug tests in Ridgeway, SC, coupled with swift turnaround times. This approach offers excellent value, catering to businesses of varying sizes, and guarantees peace of mind by promptly delivering reliable results essential for maintaining workplace integrity.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ridgeway, SC
Hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision and rapid results in Ridgeway, SC. Their superior accuracy ensures reliable detection of substance use with a quick turnaround time. This efficiency is crucial for employers seeking dependable drug testing methods, enhancing workplace safety and compliance with minimal delay.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ridgeway, SC
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Ridgeway, SC, offers employers confidence and compliance with stringent drug-free workplace policies. It significantly reduces legal liabilities and enhances safety by ensuring that all employees adhere to company standards, thereby fostering a secure and productive work environment.
