Accredited Drug Testing provides thorough hair follicle drug testing services in Salem, Virginia. Whether you require a hair test for drugs or alcohol, our expertise in hair testing is unmatched, with testing facilities across the nation. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair is needed from the crown or body. We offer analyses for drugs, alcohol/ETG, and tailor-made hair testing options.
Recently, there's been a shift towards hair follicle testing in drug assessments. Many employers, judicial authorities, and substance abuse experts now favor hair tests over traditional urine tests. This method is ideal for employers with stringent no-drug policies, the courts, and individuals on probation. Hair follicle tests are advantageous due to their extended detection timeframe—up to 90 days—carried out through an observed procedure, making tampering nearly impossible. Nevertheless, for identifying drug use within the past 5 days, urine tests remain more precise.
* 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 increasingly been recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a historical archive of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the developing hair strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair refers to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial examination of a sample within a laboratory's system, involving the verification of the sample's proper sealing and shipping, the assignment of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and the completion of any extra data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody framework.
Screening performs a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to negate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Presumptive positive samples in Screening require a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample indicate presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. In this process, drugs are derived from hair at much reduced concentrations than alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the greatest challenge.
Confirmation for any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.
In Salem, VA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Hair tests are less vulnerable to tampering, giving employers a more trustworthy substance use assessment.Detection windows are longer, ensuring comprehensive reviews of an individual’s history.
Comparatively, urine tests, although immediate, fall short in long-term detection. Hair tests provide results up to 90 days back, establishing a broader overview.
Hair follicle testing in Salem, VA, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days,
which outstrips traditional methods, providing employers a richer picture of an employee’s or applicant’s substance habits.
This longer detection span is crucial for roles requiring strict adherence to drug-free policies.
Employers benefit from this comprehensive insight, giving a historical perspective that short-term tests cannot match.
Salem, VA’s hair follicle tests have a robust tamper-resistant mechanism.
This testing method minimizes risks related to sample adulteration, offering reliable results. The integrity of each sample is maintained, providing results that are both consistent and authentic.
Reduced risk of sample tampering means accurate results, crucial for trustworthy evaluations in the workplace and legal scenarios.
Our conveniently located testing centers in Salem, VA, and nationwide ensure easy, hassle-free access to sample validation services.
Quick and straightforward processes make getting tested simple for everyone, regardless of location.
The availability of nationwide sites allows for minimal effort scheduling and rapid service access, ensuring your testing needs are swiftly met.
In Salem, VA, our process for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential.
From ordering to receiving results, clients experience a seamless procedure. Privacy concerns are addressed meticulously to ensure absolute confidentiality and ease of use throughout the process.
Our services promise ease and discretion, delivering a straightforward experience that respects customer privacy.
Located in Salem, VA, our hair follicle testing services offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times.
This ensures excellent value for businesses of any scale. With competitive cost structures and prompt result delivery, clients receive both fiscal and service satisfaction.
Companies benefit from cost-effective testing, securing peace of mind without compromising on speed or quality.
In Salem, VA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and accuracy. They provide fast results, ensuring efficient and reliable substance detection.
Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are adept at identifying numerous substances, contributing to their high precision.
The testing process is streamlined for maximum accuracy, detecting both broad and specific substance use efficiently. This approach is pivotal for timely decisions in professional settings.
The use of hair follicle testing in Salem, VA, boosts compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
Implementing such tests enhances workplace safety and lowers legal risks.
By ensuring policy adherence, employers gain peace of mind, supporting safer and more compliant work environments.
Employers can rely on these tests for effective monitoring, reinforcing a drug-free policy efficiently.
