Accredited Drug Testing provides thorough hair follicle drug testing services in Gardendale, Texas. If you're seeking a hair drug or alcohol screening, Accredited Drug Testing is the expert, with centers nationwide ready to conduct hair tests. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the head or body is necessary. Hair testing options available include drugs, alcohol/ETG, and tailored assessments.
In recent years, the process of drug testing increasingly incorporates hair follicle analysis. Many employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse experts prefer hair drug tests over traditional urine screenings. These tests are adopted by employers enforcing zero-tolerance drug policies, courts, and probation officers. The key advantage of hair tests is their extensive detection window, usually up to 90 days, and the monitored collection process that minimizes cheating. Despite this, urine tests remain the most precise for detecting recent drug use within the past 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 analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substance use by entrapping biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period for substances like alcohol extending up to around 3 months. Harvesting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.
A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is available, a comparable amount of body hair might be gathered. By "head hair," we mean only scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The primary steps involved in laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning concerns the entry of the sample into the lab's system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial, cursory inspection for substances of abuse. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most samples cost-effectively, a positive screen must be confirmed to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples with presumptive positives during Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.
If a sample is likely positive from Screening, additional hair is withdrawn from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. This phase involves extraction of drugs from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (i.e., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to conduct.
Positive results from screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Gardendale, TX: Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine screens through its superior detection range and reliability. While urine tests track recent drug use, hair tests cover substance use over extended periods, providing a more comprehensive analysis.
Employers opting for hair testing benefit from its higher likelihood of uncovering habitual drug use, adding an extra layer of assurance in maintaining a drug-free workplace. This method highlights the inadequacies of urine testing in comparison.
In Gardendale, TX, hair follicle testing is lauded for its extended detection window, capturing drug usage history up to an impressive 90 days. This extended timeframe offers a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance habits.
Such prolonged detection periods are invaluable for employers aiming to understand a candidate’s historical substance use, aiding in making informed hiring and retention decisions. This long-term insight sets hair testing apart from other methods.
The reliability of hair follicle tests is further enhanced by their inherent tamper-resistant nature. In Gardendale, TX, this testing method significantly cuts down on the potential for sample adulteration, delivering trustworthy and irrefutable results.
This testing method's robustness provides honed results, essential in environments where uncompromised accuracy is pivotal, such as workplaces with stringent drug use policies or in legal contexts.
Across Gardendale, TX, and on a nationwide scale, Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient and readily accessible testing centers. These strategically located facilities ensure swift, straightforward, and stress-free access to comprehensive testing services.
Through these extensive locations, we fulfill our commitment to make hair follicle testing as accessible as possible, minimizing logistics challenges and enhancing convenience for our clients.
In Gardendale, TX, the hair follicle testing procedure is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step maintains strict privacy standards, addressing any privacy concerns.
The seamless process instills confidence, ensuring that clients experience minimal disruptions while securing the detailed insights required for crucial decision-making without compromising personal information.
Accredited Drug Testing in Gardendale, TX, offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround times on hair follicle tests. With competitive pricing structures, even companies of various sizes can access cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
Our swift turnaround times mean companies receive value both in terms of pricing and operational efficiency, enhancing the peace of mind with timely and accurate results.
In Gardendale, TX, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and dependable results by precisely detecting a broad range of substances. This advanced testing method reduces waiting times while ensuring high accuracy in substance use identification, illustrating a clear advantage over alternatives.
By utilizing modern technology, hair tests deliver quick turnaround times, greatly assisting employers in making timely and informed decisions. The combination of speed and precision makes it a preferred choice for comprehensive drug screening.
Employers in Gardendale, TX, gain compliance and peace of mind through the adoption of hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, greatly reducing the risk of legal complications.
The ability to reliably detect and deter drug use bolsters overall workplace safety while fostering a secure and compliant organizational culture, benefitting both employers and their workforce.