Offering comprehensive hair follicle drug evaluations in Norfolk, Virginia, Accredited Drug Testing is a specialist in hair testing services. Regardless of the city, you’ll find our testing centers nationwide poised to administer a hair drug or alcohol assessment. A minimum of 1.5 to 2 inches of head or body hair is typically required. These tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other personalized testing options.
Nowadays, more drug testing procedures incorporate the hair follicle approach. This method is increasingly favored by employers, courts, and Substance Abuse Experts. The hair drug test is an alternative to the standard urine test, especially for workplaces with zero-tolerance policies and for individuals under probation. It provides a detection window of up to 90 days, requires supervised collection, and is hard to manipulate, although for recent drug use (within the last 5 days), urine tests maintain higher precision.
* 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 become recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of substances by locking biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When samples are taken near the scalp, it can offer up to an estimated three-month window for detecting both alcohol and other substances. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches, comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and verification. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those that exceed ten panels, it's advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. The term head hair specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The procedure in a laboratory for processing a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
The Accessioning stage involves the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory system, ensuring the sample was adequately sealed and transported, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and performing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.
Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Though screening is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that show presumptive positive results in screening indeed necessitate a further confirmation.
In the event a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the primary sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair in concentrations much lower than those in alternate testing methods (such as urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.
Confirmation of any positive outcome from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positive outcomes undergo a wash before confirmation where necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Norfolk, VA, hair follicle drug testing offers superior detection advantages compared to traditional urine tests. The longer detection window can identify drug use patterns that urine tests miss, providing clearer insights into substance use.
The accuracy and reliability of hair testing are prime factors in its preference, delivering actionable results employers can trust without the risk of adulteration that often plagues urine testing.
When comparing hair and urine tests, the ability of hair testing to effectively Log drug use over longer periods stands out. While urine tests may capture recent use, hair testing in Norfolk offers greater assurance of detecting chronic substance habits, proving vital for clients seeking more robust drug screening mechanics and affirming zero-tolerance policies.
Extended detection periods make hair follicle testing in Norfolk, VA particularly valuable for employers. Spanning up to 90 days, it provides a comprehensive snapshot of an individual's substance use history.
This long-detection window grants employers a complete assessment tool, proving particularly beneficial in pre-employment screenings where long-standing substance habits must be unveiled confidently.
By offering an in-depth view of substance use over time, hair follicle testing enables Norfolk employers to uncover past drug activities that urine tests might miss. This expansive detection capability is instrumental in examining potential hires thoroughly, leading to more informed employment decisions and fostering a safer workplace environment.
In Norfolk, hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods, hair samples are inherently difficult to adulterate, thereby ensuring unquestionable results that truly reflect the individual's drug use history.
This security diminishes the potential for manipulation inherent in other tests, offering stakeholders assuredness in the authenticity of results.
The inherent tamper-resistance of hair testing methods significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration and ensures the highest level of sample integrity in Norfolk. This reliability instills confidence among those who require accurate assessments of substance use that cannot be compromised, providing a reassurance not found in less secure testing methodologies.
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide centers, including in Norfolk, VA, ensuring easy access to reliable testing services. Our widespread locations guarantee hassle-free, efficient processes for all our clients.
From major cities to smaller locales, we ensure that access to testing services is seamless, significantly simplified, and quick, accommodating busy schedules.
Our Norfolk location exemplifies our commitment to accessibility through local and national testing centers. The extensive network of facilities enables clients to enjoy prompt and streamlined access to drug testing services, embodying a convenient approach to meeting professional testing needs quickly and without logistical stress.
The hair follicle testing process in Norfolk is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring a user-friendly experience from ordering to the receipt of results. We address privacy considerations thoroughly, ensuring user concerns are rapidly and effectively managed.
Streamlined procedures are crafted to meet client needs efficiently, reflecting our dedication to simplicity and discretion in drug testing services.
Clients in Norfolk benefit from a straightforward and confidential process that underscores our commitment to ease of use and privacy. From scheduling a test to receiving results, the streamlined approach minimizes cumbersome procedures, reinforcing client trust by safeguarding personal information diligently through every testing stage.
Our hair follicle testing in Norfolk offers competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times, presenting excellent value for businesses of varied sizes.
These affordably priced services guarantee a timely deliverance of results, ensuring companies manage their testing needs without financial strain, thereby reinforcing confidence and satisfaction through dependable, cost-effective solutions.
Affordability and efficiency define our approach in Norfolk. Our services ensure fast results coupled with budget-friendly pricing, optimizing value while providing comprehensive substance use insights.
Whether servicing small firms or larger enterprises, competitive offerings ensure substantial savings coupled with timely, accurate outcomes that meet diverse client demands effectively.
Hair follicle tests in Norfolk, VA are renowned for fast and accurate outcomes. These tests are capable of reliably detecting substance use, offering unmatched precision for users seeking dependable results.
Rapid data processing ensures results are delivered swiftly, providing clients peace of mind with the highest degree of substance detection accuracy.Efficiency is a hallmark of hair testing methodologies.
In Norfolk, clients benefit from unparalleled test precision with hair follicle analysis. The reliability of the process ensures confidence in the detection of even low-level substances. Quick result generation further emphasizes the advantages of hair testing, becoming an increasingly popular choice for those seeking prompt and trustworthy insights into drug use.
Utilizing hair follicle drug tests in Norfolk, VA fosters compliance with workplace drug-free mandates, crucially reducing potential litigation risks.
Hair testing underscores an employer’s dedication to maintaining a secure work environment, ultimately enhancing workplace safety and promoting peace of mind among all employees by assuring that comprehensive, reliable screening measures are in place.
Employers in Norfolk benefit from peace of mind through effective drug-free policy oversight with hair follicle testing. This method secures compliance, minimizing legal jeopardies while demonstrating steadfast commitment to ensuring safe and productive work environments, crucial for business reputation and employee trust.
