Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments in Arrington, Virginia. If you're in need of hair-based drug or alcohol assessments, our expertise lies in hair testing, with facilities available across every city nationwide to conduct these tests. Ideally, a sample requires 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or any body location for analysis. Hair testing can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other customizable options.
Recently, the adoption of hair follicle drug tests for substance testing has grown. Many employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse professionals now prefer hair drug tests over traditional urine testing. Hair follicle tests are favored by employers enforcing zero-tolerance policies, legal entities, and probationary individuals. A key advantage is their extended drug detection window, typically up to 90 days, and their resistance to tampering. However, for detecting recent use within 5 days, urine tests remain more precise.
* 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 effective instrument in identifying alcohol and drug usage. It captures a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair samples can offer an approximate three-month period for detecting drug and alcohol use. The collection process for hair is straightforward, is challenging to tamper with, and the samples are simple to transport.
A hair segment measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 strands (analogous to a #2 pencil's diameter) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal quantity for both screening and confirmatory purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assays exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement is suggested. If scalp hair can't be attained, a comparable amount of body hair can be sourced. Note that when referring to head hair, we imply only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result laboratory procedure encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
In Accessioning, the sample preliminarily enters the lab's system. This stage checks for proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for abused substances. This step serves as a cost-efficient means to identify drug absence in most specimens, though a positive indication requires confirmation for court reliability. Presumptive positives identified during Screening must undergo secondary verification.
Upon a presumptive positive outcome in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction procedure. At this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower amounts than through other methods (e.g. urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive screen employs techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples flagged as presumptive positives are washed pre-confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive lab process spanning Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation following ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strands and not the actual hair follicle beneath the scalp.
In Arrington, VA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to its enhanced accuracy and reliability. While urine tests provide immediate results, hair testing offers a more comprehensive detection window, allowing for a clearer understanding of an individual's drug history over the past 90 days.
Employers and legal entities prefer hair follicle tests due to their ability to expose long-term patterns of substance use. In contrast, urine tests are limited to detecting recent use, making hair tests a more robust alternative in maintaining drug-free policies.
In Arrington, VA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This longer timeframe provides employers with detailed insights into an individual's substance history, aiding in informed decision-making.
The extended window of detection is especially beneficial for employers looking to assess long-term substance habits, ensuring adherence to company policies and maintaining workplace safety more effectively than shorter-term tests.
Hair follicle testing in Arrington, VA, significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain reliable and unquestionable. This method of testing inherently protects against tampering, providing peace of mind for employers and legal institutions.
The resilience of hair samples to external contamination makes this testing method stand out, offering assurance through clear, unbiased results that maintain integrity throughout the testing process.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Arrington, VA, accessing drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. Our expansive network ensures that individuals and businesses can effortlessly find a center nearby.
The ease of accessing our network simplifies the testing process, removing logistical barriers and making it seamless for clients to engage with testing services that meet their unique needs.
Our drug testing process in Arrington, VA, is straightforward and confidential, ensuring ease and privacy from order to result. Clients can confidently engage with our services, knowing their information is handled with discretion.
By emphasizing confidentiality, we address common privacy concerns, allowing individuals to undertake necessary tests without fear of exposure, while maintaining a smooth, user-friendly experience.
Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround in Arrington, VA, our hair follicle drug tests provide exceptional value for companies of all sizes. Businesses appreciate the competitive pricing models that fit their budget without compromising quality.
Our commitment to quick processing times ensures that companies can rely on timely, cost-effective results, fostering operational efficiency and supporting informed decision-making in various organizational settings.
Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results in Arrington, VA. Their precision in detecting substances ensures that results are dependable and timely. For those requiring a swift turnaround without sacrificing reliability, these tests provide valuable solutions.
Employers and individuals alike benefit from the quick processing times of hair follicle tests. Long wait times are minimized, ensuring that critical decisions can be made efficiently while maintaining high standards of accuracy.
Employers in Arrington, VA can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, reducing potential legal complications and reinforcing a culture of safety.
The reliability of hair follicle tests helps maintain organizational standards, ensuring that businesses can confidently navigate their legal responsibilities and foster safer working environments for all employees.
