Accredited Drug Testing provides extensive hair follicle drug testing services in Sparta, Tennessee. Specializing in hair drug and alcohol testing, we operate testing centers across all cities nationwide. A minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body is typically required. Our hair analysis can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other personalized testing options.
Increasingly, drug testing methods have incorporated hair follicle tests. Employers, courts, and substance abuse experts now often require a hair drug test over the conventional urine test. These hair tests support zero-tolerance policies, court mandates, and probation requirements. The key advantage lies in their extended 90-day detection period, ensuring an observed collection process that's nearly foolproof against tampering. Nonetheless, urine tests remain the most precise for detecting use within the last 5 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 testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the specimen. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test involves four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be verified for it to be admissible in legal settings. Samples with presumptive positives in screening require a subsequent confirmation.
For samples with a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation, as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Even though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sparta, TN
Hair follicle testing presents several advantages over traditional urine tests. It demonstrates superior detection accuracy and reliability, with a significantly longer detection window, efficiently identifying drug use patterns that urine tests may miss.
Extended Detection Window in Sparta, TN
With the capability to trace drug use up to 90 days prior, hair follicle testing provides employers with an extensive view of an applicant's or employee's substance use history, surpassing the limited timeframe of urine tests to ensure a comprehensive analysis.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sparta, TN
Hair follicle tests are designed to significantly diminish the risk of sample tampering. This method provides dependable and unequivocal results, ensuring the integrity of the testing process, which is crucial for maintaining fair and accurate assessments.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sparta, TN
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation ensures that accessing testing services is simple and hassle-free. Local options in Sparta make it even more convenient for individuals and employers alike.
Simple, Confidential Process in Sparta, TN
The process of ordering, undergoing, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. This simplicity along with a strong emphasis on privacy alleviates concerns, making the procedure accessible to all.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sparta, TN
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times provide exceptional value, ensuring that companies of all sizes can access high-quality services without compromising on budget, thus maintaining peace of mind regarding expenditures.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sparta, TN
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and speed, providing high accuracy in detecting substance use. The robust methodology ensures that results are not only fast but also reliable, which is essential in maintaining trust and effectiveness in drug testing processes.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sparta, TN
Employing hair follicle testing ensures that workplace drug-free policies are upheld, which minimizes legal repercussions and enhances overall workplace safety. This compliance provides peace of mind to employers and contributes to a healthier work environment.
