Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Iron Gate, Virginia. Specializing in hair tests for drugs and alcohol, we provide testing services nationwide. For a valid sample, ensure you have 1.5 to 2 inches of hair. These tests can detect various substances, including alcohol/ETG, with tailored options available.
Hair follicle drug testing is increasingly favored for substance evaluation. Employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals often opt for this method over traditional urine samples. It's particularly popular with organizations enforcing zero-tolerance policies. A primary advantage is its extensive detection period—up to 90 days—with a secure, observed collection method. However, urine tests remain the gold standard for identifying recent drug use within the past five 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 testing has acquired recognition as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands can encase biomarkers within their fibers, thus providing an extended overview of alcohol and drug usage. Collected near the scalp, such samples can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, comparatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximating the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg of hair, which is the optimum amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair can be taken. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the preliminary stage where a sample is entered into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any further data entry not accounted for by an automated chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial rapid test for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers an economical means to dismiss drug use in most cases, any positive Screening must be validated to stand up in court. Samples that are presumed positive in Screening need another validation test.
If a sample is provisionally positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. At this point, drugs are drawn out from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex methodology to conduct.
The Confirmation of positive screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples initially deemed positive are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When evaluating drug testing methods in Iron Gate, VA, hair follicle tests clearly surpass standard urine tests. They deliver superior accuracy and reliability, providing enhanced detection capabilities that traditional urine tests cannot match.
The major advantage of hair follicle testing in Iron Gate, VA, is its extended detection window. It allows for drug use detection over as much as 90 days, providing employers with a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history.
In Iron Gate, VA, the hair follicle test represents a tamper-resistant drug testing technique. It minimizes the risk of sample adulteration significantly, offering reliable outcomes that cannot be easily contested.
With testing centers available nationwide, including local options in Iron Gate, VA, accessing drug testing services has never been more convenient. Our expansive network ensures quick and hassle-free testing solutions for everyone.
In Iron Gate, VA, the hair follicle testing process remains straightforward and confidential. It addresses privacy concerns effectively while facilitating an effortless process for ordering, performing, and receiving results.
Competitive pricing paired with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Iron Gate, VA not only affordable but also highly valuable for businesses of all sizes. It offers quick results without straining your budget.
In Iron Gate, VA, hair follicle tests are synonymous with high precision and reliability. They deliver results rapidly while ensuring a high degree of accuracy in detecting drug use. These tests offer fast, dependable findings, making them a preferred choice for detecting substance use.
Hair follicle testing in Iron Gate, VA ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, thus reducing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment. For employers, this testing method brings peace of mind by maintaining a drug-free workplace.
