At Accredited Drug Testing, we offer comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Mount Sidney, Virginia. If you're looking for hair drug or alcohol screening, our expertise lies in hair testing, and we have nationwide testing facilities capable of conducting such tests. Generally, a hair length of 1.5 to 2 inches from the scalp or body is required. Our hair tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be tailored for other testing needs.
Recently, there has been a shift towards hair follicle drug tests in drug testing methodologies. Employers, courts, and substance abuse experts now prefer hair drug tests over traditional urine tests. These tests are favored by employers with zero-tolerance drug policies, courts, and probation officers. Their main advantage is a longer drug use detection window, typically lasting up to 90 days, with an observed collection method that is extremely difficult to tamper with. However, for detecting recent drug use within the last five days, urine tests remain the gold standard.
* 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.
Acknowledged as an effective approach to detecting drug and alcohol intake, hair testing provides a comprehensive history of such substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. Obtaining samples near the scalp offers a detection window of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily shippable.
To acquire an optimal sample for screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch piece consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair. For tests that include EtG, add-ons, or exceed 10 panels, it's advised to utilize 150mg of hair, measurable with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" refers solely to hair on the scalp, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
At the Accessioning stage, the sample is initially integrated into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any additional unexplored data entry that wasn’t captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
The Screening step serves as a preliminary check for drug presence. Although a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive screening results require confirmation for legal credibility. Any specimens deemed presumptively positive must undergo secondary verification.
When a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair from the original collection is extracted for the Extraction phase. Here, drug substances are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), accounting for hair drug testing's complexity.
Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are washed as necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and complies with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis concentrates on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Mount Sidney, VA, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are clear. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy and reliability, making them the preferred choice over traditional urine tests. While urine tests are limited to short-term detection, hair tests provide a broader look into an individual's substance history, offering a more dependable and accurate assessment for employers and legal authorities.
A key benefit of hair follicle testing in Mount Sidney, VA, is its extended detection window. Unlike other drug tests, hair follicle tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days. This long detection period provides employers with a more comprehensive view of a candidate's or employee's substance use history, helping make informed decisions based on long-term patterns rather than short-term situations.
In Mount Sidney, VA, hair follicle tests are largely tamper-resistant, significantly reducing the possibility of sample adulteration. This makes them a reliable choice for those who need unquestionable results. The testing process involves collecting hair samples in an observed manner, ensuring that the results are free from manipulation or substitution attempts.
Our testing locations in Mount Sidney, VA, offer exceptional convenience with their nationwide reach. No matter where you are, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. These centers provide easy access to professional and prompt testing services, ensuring you meet your drug testing requirements without delay or inconvenience.
In Mount Sidney, VA, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, every step is designed to protect privacy while ensuring ease of use. This process addresses privacy concerns, guaranteeing that individuals can take necessary tests without fearing a breach of confidentiality.
Our hair follicle testing services in Mount Sidney, VA, are not only reliable but also affordable. We offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value to companies of all sizes. Ensuring affordability while maintaining high-quality service is paramount, giving businesses peace of mind without stretching their budgets.
Hair follicle drug testing in Mount Sidney, VA, offers a combination of speed and precision. This method is lauded for its ability to swiftly and accurately identify substance use, providing results that can be crucial for employers and authorities. Compared to other methods, it ensures higher accuracy, minimizing the chances of false negatives or positives that can occur with less reliable testing alternatives.
Employers in Mount Sidney, VA, can enjoy compliance and peace of mind by employing hair follicle testing. This method aligns perfectly with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks associated with non-compliance. By ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols, employers can create a safer working environment and uphold the integrity of their workforce.
