In Raven, Virginia, Accredited Drug Testing offers full-scale hair follicle drug screenings. Specializing in both hair drug and alcohol testing, we provide testing services through our centers in various cities across the Nation. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from your head or body is required. These tests can identify substances, alcohol/ETG, and provide a range of customized hair testing solutions.
The trend towards hair follicle drug tests has surged in recent times. A growing number of employers, legal entities, and Substance Abuse experts opt for hair analysis over standard urine testing. Hair follicle screening is chosen by those upholding zero-tolerance policies, legal courts, and individuals on probation due to its extended detection capacity lasting up to 90 days, collection being supervised, and high resistance to deception. Although, for recent use within 5 days, urine tests remain most accurate.
* 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 drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a timeline for alcohol and drugs, capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can indicate alcohol and drug use for up to 3 months. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to send.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The lab processing of a drug test result includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is entered into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an affordable means to detect drug use in most samples, only confirmed positive screens are acceptable in legal settings. Any presumptive positive samples identified in Screening proceed to a secondary confirmation.
In cases of a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is used for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging method to execute.
Confirmation of positive screening results is done with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are prewashed before confirmation, if necessary. The comprehensive 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: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp
Raven, VA sees hair follicle testing as a superior alternative to traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers an impressive accuracy level and reliability in detection that urine tests often lack. The method's extended detection window allows for a more extensive review of an individual's substance habits, surpassing the limitations of urine analysis.
In Raven, VA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of approximately 90 days. This long-term detection capability provides employers with a deep insight into the substance use history of applicants or employees, surpassing the short-term window provided by urine tests. This comprehensive view ensures more informed decisions.
Raven, VA's hair follicle tests provide an effective tamper-resistant solution, minimizing the potential for sample adulteration. These tests ensure the delivery of reliable and trustworthy results and are outstanding for upholding the integrity of the drug testing process.
With convenient testing centers spread across the Nation and local facilities in Raven, VA, our services are accessible and hassle-free. Ensuring easy access to testing services reduces travel stress and promotes a seamless testing experience for users everywhere.
In Raven, VA, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is designed to protect privacy and offer ease of use, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality and simplicity in the testing process.
Affordable pricing combined with fast turnaround times makes hair follicle testing in Raven, VA an attractive option. Our competitive rates and swift service ensure excellent value and peace of mind, benefiting companies of all sizes tremendously.
In Raven, VA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their quick and dependable results. These tests provide highly precise readings, efficiently detecting substances that might be missed by other methods. Their ability to deliver accurate findings swiftly makes them invaluable in timely decision-making processes for employers and individuals alike.
Hair follicle testing in Raven, VA offers employers compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method supports legal and safety standards, reducing legal risks and contributing to overall peace of mind by maintaining a secure and efficient work environment.