Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug analyses in Independence, Virginia. If a hair-based drug or alcohol screening is required, Accredited Drug Testing focuses on hair examinations, with centers nationwide capable of conducting these tests. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body may be used. Hair analyses can identify drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other specialized testing options.
Recently, hair follicle drug screenings have increasingly become part of drug testing methodologies. Many employers, judicial systems, and Substance Abuse experts favor hair tests over traditional urine analyses. Hair follicle screenings are utilized by employers with zero-tolerance drug policies, court systems, and probationary monitoring. The main advantage is the extended detection window, up to 90 days, ensuring an almost cheat-proof collection. However, for recent drug use within 5 days, urine tests remain most 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 testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a longer history of alcohol and drug consumption by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional screens, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, a corresponding amount of body hair can be used. In referring to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary stages involved in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the phase where a sample is initially processed into a laboratory's system. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry not accomplished by an electronic chain of custody.
Screening is a preliminary check for substances of abuse. While cost-effective, Screening only preliminarily identifies drug use in most samples, and positive screenings must be confirmed to stand in legal settings. Any samples flagged as presumptive positives in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.
If Screening suggests a sample is positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for the Extraction phase. In this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at a concentration significantly lower than other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening one of the more challenging methodologies to execute.
The Confirmation process for any positive screening result is administered via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged presumptive positive undergo washing before Confirmation, as warranted. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", these tests actually analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Independence, VA, the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are numerous.
These benefits ensure more dependable and precise substance monitoring.
Hair follicle testing in Independence, VA, offers an extended detection window.
This extended window helps employers make informed decisions.
In Independence, VA, hair follicle testing boasts a tamper-resistant nature.
This integrity makes hair testing a trustworthy choice for many.
Convenience of testing is emphasized by our widespread locations in Independence, VA.
This nationwide network allows seamless service access.
In Independence, VA, hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential.
This makes it a convenient choice for many needing discretion.
Affordable pricing and swift results define hair follicle testing in Independence, VA.
Affordability makes it accessible to a wide range of users.
In Independence, VA, hair follicle drug testing is recognized for its swift and accurate results.
The reliability of hair tests supports both individuals and businesses in maintaining trust and security.
Hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind for employers in Independence, VA.
The use of these tests supports a safer, more compliant workplace.
