Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug evaluations in Chester, Texas. Whether you're seeking a hair drug or alcohol screening, Accredited Drug Testing excels in this area, with facilities in all cities nationwide ready to administer such tests. A hair length of 1.5 to 2 inches is typically required, either from the scalp or body. Hair tests can target drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be tailored for specific purposes.
Over recent years, hair follicle drug testing has become a more common method for substance testing. Numerous employers, judicial systems, and addiction specialists are opting for hair drug tests over the traditional urine tests. Hair follicle tests are preferred by employers with strict anti-drug policies, the courts, and probation services. The key advantage is their extended detection window, often up to 90 days, making it challenging to manipulate results. However, for recent drug use within 5 days, urine tests remain the 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 is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within its fibers, offering a long-term history of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can reveal drug or alcohol use over a period of up to three months. Hair samples are easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands, similar in diameter to a #2 pencil, yields about 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, collecting an equal measure of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair are specifically about scalp hair, while body hair includes other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory's system, ensuring it was sealed and sent correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening performs a preliminary, rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. During this process, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than those present in other testing methods, such as urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.
Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any positive screening samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the scalp’s hair follicle.
When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine analysis in Chester, TX, the advantages are clear. Hair tests surpass urine tests in detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can detect recent substance use, hair follicle tests offer a broader view, revealing habits over a more extended period.
Employers and courts often prefer hair testing due to its superior detection capabilities. Recognizing patterns of use, hair analysis surpasses the limited window offered by urine tests, addressing detection needs more effectively.
The extended detection period offered by hair follicle testing in Chester, TX, provides crucial data not available through other testing methods. With the ability to reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, it offers employers an encompassing perspective on an individual's substance history.
This extensive window ensures that patterns and frequencies of use are visible, granting employers a more profound understanding of the applicant or employee's lifestyle, aiding in more informed hiring decisions.
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the possibility of tampering with sample integrity. In Chester, TX, this method assures accuracy, as the collection process is difficult to manipulate, ensuring reliable outcomes.
The tamper-resistant nature of this testing approach bolsters confidence in results, safeguarding against attempts to alter or deceive the testing outcomes, thus preserving the credibility of the findings.
With Accredited Drug Testing’s nationwide network, accessing testing is straightforward. In Chester, TX, and beyond, our convenient locations facilitate swift and efficient testing without undue hassle.
Individuals and employers benefit from the ease of access to local centers, minimizing disruptions and ensuring a seamless testing experience. Our expansive reach guarantees availability wherever needed, offering hassle-free services.
The process for hair follicle testing in Chester, TX, is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy throughout. From ordering to obtaining results, the streamlined steps prioritize client comfort and confidentiality.
Clients can trust in the discreet handling of their information and the efficiency of the process, all while receiving comprehensive and accurate results that assist in maintaining workplace integrity.
Accredited Drug Testing in Chester, TX, offers affordable pricing without compromising on speed and accuracy. Our competitive rates provide exceptional value, appealing to companies of varying sizes seeking cost-effective solutions.
Fast turnaround times enhance the testing process, delivering quick and reliable results that allow businesses to proceed with confidence, knowing they are receiving outstanding service and value for their investment.
The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug testing in Chester, TX, cannot be understated. Fast outcomes are achieved due to the direct analysis of the hair sample, reducing wait times. The process ensures accuracy in detecting substances, delivering reliable results which support informed decision-making.
Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers comprehensive results that showcase consistent substance use patterns. The reliability of the results provided is due to the meticulous methodology employed, ensuring high levels of precision and trustworthiness.
Employers in Chester, TX, can achieve peace of mind through compliance with drug-free workplace policies using hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal exposure and promotes a safer work environment, bolstering corporate integrity and safety.
By implementing hair testing, organizations can ensure adherence to stringent guidelines, reinforcing their commitment to a drug-free and hazard-free workspace, vital for ongoing business operations.
