Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Rural Retreat, Virginia. If a hair drug or alcohol test is required, Accredited Drug Testing specializes in hair testing, with centers across all cities Nationwide that can perform such tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair from the crown or body can be used. These tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or be customized for other testing needs.
Recently, the trend for drug testing has increasingly included hair follicle tests. Many employers, legal systems, and substance abuse experts now opt for hair drug tests over traditional urine tests. Such tests support zero-tolerance drug policies, court requirements, and probation compliance. Hair follicle tests offer the major advantage of a longer drug detection time, up to 90 days, are conducted under observation, and are virtually tamper-proof. For recent drug use detection within 5 days, urine testing remains the most reliable.
* 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 now regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of approximately three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample comprising around 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's best to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. When we mention head hair, we solely mean scalp hair. Body hair covers all other hair types (beard, armpits, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into the lab’s system. This step comprises verifying the sample’s intact seal and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing supplementary data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a preliminary swift examination for the detection of drug abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates validation for court acceptability. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening need an additional confirmation step.
In the event of a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which underlines why hair drug screening is notably the most challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples found presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite commonly being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Rural Retreat, VA: Hair tests show superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests, which are limited in their detection window. The reliability of hair testing in identifying substance use over an extended period makes it the preferable choice in situations where a complete picture of an individual's drug history is required. This advantage is crucial for employers enforcing strict no-drug policies.
Extended Detection Window in Rural Retreat, VA: Hair follicle testing provides an extended drug use detection period of up to 90 days. This broader timeframe offers employers a more comprehensive assessment of an applicant or employee's drug history, making it particularly valuable for long-term evaluations. It's the preferred method for those needing a thorough understanding of a person's substance habits.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Rural Retreat, VA: Hair follicle tests are known for reducing sample adulteration risks significantly, offering reliable results that are hard to dispute. The strict collection process ensures that the integrity of the sample is maintained, rendering efforts to cheat the test nearly impossible. This feature makes hair testing a trustworthy option for those seeking dependable outcomes.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Rural Retreat, VA: With Accredited Drug Testing's wide network of testing centers, including local options in Rural Retreat, accessing drug testing services is easy and convenient. The nationwide availability means quick and hassle-free access, simplifying the testing process for employers and individuals who require these important services.
Simple, Confidential Process in Rural Retreat, VA: The procedure for ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns. This straightforward process ensures that individuals can efficiently manage their testing needs without unnecessary complications, maintaining confidentiality from start to finish.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Rural Retreat, VA: Our competitive pricing structures and swift turnaround times provide excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable rates and quick results, ensuring they can make informed decisions without delay. This combination of low cost and efficiency makes hair follicle testing a smart investment for businesses.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Rural Retreat, VA: Hair follicle drug tests offer remarkable precision and speed in detecting substance use, providing highly accurate results. These tests are developed to ensure reliability, making them an excellent choice for those requiring rapid outcomes without compromising on accuracy. Employers and individuals alike can trust these tests for their substance detection needs.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Rural Retreat, VA: By choosing hair follicle testing, employers can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby minimizing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. The legitimacy of this method gives employers confidence and peace of mind, knowing they are upholding the highest standards for employee conduct regarding substance use.
