In Leon Valley, Texas, Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments. Specializing in this method, our centers are available nationwide, equipped to conduct hair tests. Ideal hair length is between 1.5 to 2 inches from the scalp or body. These tests can evaluate the presence of drugs, alcohol/ETG, and can be tailored for specific testing needs.
Hair follicle testing is increasingly becoming a standard for drug assessments. This shift is due to its adoption by employers, legal systems, and substance abuse professionals seeking alternatives to urine tests. Hair tests are preferred by entities with strict anti-drug policies, as they offer a broader detection range of up to 90 days. Despite being hard to falsify, urine tests remain best for recent drug use within 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 has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to dispatch.
A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (about the volume of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assays beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to gather 150mg of the specimen. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen is advisable. In instances where scalp hair is lacking, a similar volume of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all extra types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step includes certifying that the sample was properly sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening consists of an initial brief evaluation for illicit drug presence. While Screening is a cost-efficient procedure to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening mandate secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than with other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Choose Hair Over Urine Testing in Leon Valley, TX?
Hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection capabilities and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. It offers a much broader detection window, encompassing several months, and is a preferred choice for employers and institutions seeking accurate assessments.
Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection window, tracing drug use for up to 90 days. This offers employers in Leon Valley a thorough overview of an individual's substance usage history, which is advantageous during the hiring process or regular employee screenings.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
One of the significant advantages of hair follicle tests is their resilience to tampering. This method greatly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring credible and unquestionable outcomes, crucial for maintaining integrity in drug testing protocols.
Convenient Testing Locations
With testing facilities nationwide, including local options in Leon Valley, accessing testing services has never been more convenient. Our centers are designed to offer seamless, stress-free, and prompt testing experiences for all clients.
Simple, Confidential Process
Understanding the importance of privacy, we offer a straightforward and confidential process for tests. From ordering to receiving results, clients in Leon Valley can expect a hassle-free experience that emphasizes ease and privacy.
Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround
In Leon Valley, our drug testing services are competitively priced to provide exceptional value. Coupled with fast turnaround times, organizations of any size can benefit from our cost-effective and efficient testing solutions.
Fast, Accurate Results in Leon Valley, TX
In Leon Valley, hair follicle drug tests promise rapid and precise outcomes. These tests excel in detecting substance use with unmatched accuracy, ensuring that results are both reliable and swift, aiding in timely decision-making for various stakeholders.
Compliance and Peace of Mind
Employers in Leon Valley gain compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This approach minimizes legal risks while promoting safety, offering peace of mind by reducing violations associated with workplace substance abuse.