Hair Follicle Drug Testing - California

Accredited Drug Testing has 1,191 hair drug testing centers in 1,930 CA cities.

Please select a city from the list below to find hair drug test centers in California.

Hair drug testing, commonly called hair follicle drug testing, is a scientific approach employed to identify drug consumption by examining hair specimens.

How it works:

• Drug enters bloodstream: Upon drug usage, the substance alongside its breakdown products enters the bloodstream.
• Drugs reach hair follicles: As every hair follicle contains a blood vessel, the drugs are transported from the blood into the hair follicle.
• Drugs get trapped in hair: These trace chemicals embed within the hair strand's cortex as the hair grows.
• Hair sample collection: Typically, a hair sample is taken from the head (or body hair if head hair is inadequate).
• Lab analysis: The hair sample is dispatched to a laboratory for examination.
  • Screening: An initial test, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), is administered to detect drug metabolites.
  • Confirmation: If ELISA results positive, a more specific test like Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) or Liquid - Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is conducted to verify drug metabolites and prevent false positives.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug assessments can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is quite challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It can document a trend of drug usage over time, not limited to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur more expenses than other testing methodologies.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Mobile/On-Site Drug Testing

If you're an employer needing to test 25 or more employees and looking to save time and money, we offer mobile on-site drug testing where we come to you. Call us today for more information.

Hair follicle drug tests are known for their swift and accurate results. In California, this method ensures quick detection of various substances, providing critical information for employers to maintain workplace safety efficiently.

Such precision and speed in detecting substance use distinguish hair follicle testing from other methods, making it invaluable in high-stakes environments where accuracy is paramount.

One of the standout features of hair follicle drug testing is its extended detection window, which can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior. This makes it an ideal choice for California employers seeking a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s substance use history.

Rather than limiting the view to recent usage, hair testing provides a broader history of substance use, offering insights beyond what traditional methods can achieve.

The design of hair follicle drug tests inherently prevents tampering, providing California employers with peace of mind that test results are authentic and reliable.

This robustness in testing methodology makes it difficult for individuals to alter or adulterate samples, ensuring accuracy and enhancing the credibility of the testing process.

Why is Hair Follicle Drug Testing Important

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Other Forms of Testing in California

• Hair follicle testing outshines other methods due to its superior detection window. It can trace drug use for up to 90 days, offering a comprehensive review of an individual's substance history, unlike token URINE tests that check for more recent use.
• Unlike shorter timelines of token URINE tests, our hair follicle analysis ensures results that can reveal substance use patterns over months. This progressive insight into use habits allows for a broader understanding of an individual's behavior.
• The reliability of hair follicle testing is unmatched thanks to its ability to detect even minute traces of substances. By incorporating this advanced testing strategy, California employers gain a precise tool to enforce a drug-free work environment.
• An additional perk of our hair follicle test is the difficulty involved in tampering or adulteration, which is a common limitation faced with token URINE checks. This quality makes our method particularly appealing for stringent compliance measures.