Accredited Drug Testing offers thorough hair follicle drug screening in County Center, Virginia. Specializing in hair drug and alcohol testing, we have facilities across Nationwide, ready to conduct hair analysis. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair is required from your head or body. Our hair tests can screen for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other tailored options.
Hair follicle drug testing has increasingly become a preferred method over recent years. Many employers, courts, and Substance Abuse experts now opt for hair tests over urine tests. These tests service those with zero-drug-tolerance policies, court systems, and probationary conditions. The significant advantage of hair follicle tests is their extended detection range, up to 90 days, observed during collection, making cheating nearly impossible. Still, for drug usage in the past 5 days, urine remains the most precise test.
* 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 testing has evolved into an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of growing hair capture biomarkers, providing a long-term record of alcohol and other drug use. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer an approximately 3-month detection period for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.
A 1.5-inch hair sample, consisting of around 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, yields 100mg of hair — the optimal sample amount for testing and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically means scalp hair, while "body hair" covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This process checks that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid for court purposes. Samples that test presumptively positive at this stage require further confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptive positive undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing in County Center, VA proves superior to traditional urine tests by offering enhanced accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis provides an extensive detection window, delivering a robust understanding of one's substance use history. This method has become an essential tool for observing patterns of usage and ensuring policy compliance.
Extended detection windows are a key advantage of hair follicle testing in County Center, VA. With up to 90 days of drug use detectability, employers get a detailed view of an individual’s substance history. This comprehensive approach aids in making informed decisions about employee or applicant suitability and reliability.
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant alternative in County Center, VA. Their design significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, providing unquestionable results. This form of testing ensures that outcomes remain consistent and trustworthy, even under circumstances where tampering might be suspected.
With testing locations conveniently available nationwide, including in County Center, VA, obtaining a hair follicle drug test is straightforward. The network of centers ensures that testing services are accessible with ease and efficiency, contributing to a hassle-free and streamlined process for all participants.
The process of hair follicle testing in County Center, VA is designed to be simple and confidential. Clients receive clear instructions on preparing for and undertaking tests, alongside guaranteed privacy of results. This transparent procedure ensures that all participants feel secure and confident during the testing experience.
Affordable pricing paired with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in County Center, VA an attractive option. Our testing services deliver value through competitive rates and swift result processing, accommodating organizations of any size that seek dependable substance testing solutions.
In County Center, VA, hair follicle testing stands out for its speed and precision. These tests offer highly accurate substance detection, reassuring stakeholders of the reliability of each result. The meticulous nature of hair analysis ensures fast and precise results, making them a trusted choice for comprehensive drug testing needs.
In County Center, VA, hair follicle testing offers compliance and peace of mind for employers. It supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, diminishing legal risks while promoting a safe environment. Employers benefit from the assurance that robust testing protocols are in place, safeguarding their operations.