For comprehensive hair follicle drug testing in Hico, Texas, turn to Accredited Drug Testing. Whether testing for drugs or alcohol, our specialization in hair testing connects you with centers nationwide ready to assist. With just 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body, substances like drugs and alcohol/ETG are detectable, offering flexible hair testing choices tailored to your needs.
Hair follicle drug tests have become increasingly prevalent for substance detection in recent years. Preferred over urine tests by employers, courts, and Substance Abuse experts, these tests benefit from better reliability. With a zero-tolerance policy, employers trust hair tests, as they span a detection period of up to 90 days, are collected with oversight, and are incredibly hard to manipulate. On the other hand, urine tests are still favored for catching recent drug use within 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 assessments are now recognized as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol usage. The hair captures a lasting record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. Proximity to the scalp during collection allows hair to offer almost a three-month span of detection for both alcohol and other substances. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering and ease of transport.
Acquiring a sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches and comprising around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) directly from the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both initial screening and follow-up confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It's beneficial to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler's scale. In instances where scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be substituted. It's important to note that references to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other forms (such as facial or axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing involved in analyzing a drug test result incorporates four critical stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's processing system. This step includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any outstanding data fields not addressed in a digital chain of custody protocol.
Screening functions as a preliminary, rapid assessment for illicit substances. Although it's an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive finding here necessitates a confirmatory test to uphold legal scrutiny. Any samples showing initial positive results in this phase must undergo further verification.
In cases of preliminary positive results during Screening, additional hair from the original batch is used for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are isolated from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or saliva testing), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Final Confirmation of positive screenings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All initially positive samples are cleaned before final confirmation, as the process demands. The complete procedural chain, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strands and not on the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hico, TX: Hair testing stands out due to its superior detection capabilities.
Extended Detection Window in Hico, TX: Hair tests are unique in providing a review of drug use over an extended duration.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hico, TX: The integrity of hair follicle tests lies in their resistance to tampering.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hico, TX: Our widespread centers make testing accessible.
Simple, Confidential Process in Hico, TX: Experience uncomplicated and discreet testing procedures.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hico, TX: Competitive rates complement our swift services.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hico, TX: Hair follicle drug testing is embraced for its precision in recording drug use.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hico, TX: Aiding in adherence to drug-free workplace policies, hair testing is invaluable.
