Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Bealeton, Virginia. For those requiring a hair drug or alcohol test, our expertise in hair testing is unmatched, with centers available across all cities nationwide. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the scalp or body are needed for analysis. Hair testing can identify drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized for specific needs.
Recently, hair follicle drug testing has become more prevalent in screening processes. Employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse professionals often prefer hair tests over traditional urine analyses. These tests align with zero-tolerance policies and probation requirements. A key advantage is their 90-day detection capability, under observed conditions, making it difficult to tamper with. However, for identifying recent usage within five days, urine tests remain superior.
* 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 widely recognized for its effectiveness in identifying substance use. Hair archives a long-term record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over approximately a three-month period. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient for shipping.
To conduct a test, a 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly #2 pencil thickness) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair—optimum for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or over 10-panel tests, a 150mg sample is suggested. It's best to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. The term head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types like facial and underarm hair.
Process Overview
The drug testing lifecycle in a lab comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This phase ensures the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening provides a preliminary, rapid drug check. While cost-effective and capable of dismissing drug use in many samples, a positive Screening outcome needs confirmation for legal proceedings. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive result during Screening require secondary verification.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is prepped for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs at significantly lower concentrations from hair than other techniques (like urine or saliva testing), a hallmark of hair drug testing’s complexity.
GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are used for confirming any positive Screening results. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before Confirmation if necessary. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is performed under scrutiny with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Often labeled as “hair follicle tests,” these tests analyze the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bealeton, VA
Comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, the former demonstrates superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its comprehensive analysis offers a more complete picture of an individual's substance use history.
Extended Detection Window in Bealeton, VA
Hair follicle testing offers a prolonged detection period of up to 90 days, providing employers with an extensive overview of an individual's substance use history.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bealeton, VA
Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, ensuring reliable and indisputable results.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bealeton, VA
Our nationwide testing centers offer easy, quick, and hassle-free access to testing services, ensuring convenience for all.
Simple, Confidential Process in Bealeton, VA
The procedure for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential, emphasizing privacy and ease.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bealeton, VA
Offering competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times, our services provide excellent value and peace of mind for companies of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bealeton, VA
Hair follicle drug tests stand out in Bealeton for their precision and swiftness. Their high accuracy makes them an ideal choice for detecting substance use, providing results you can trust.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bealeton, VA
Employers can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies by using hair follicle testing, reducing legal risks and promoting safety.
