Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sterling, CO

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

13 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Sterling

Minutes Away, Test Today

On-site Only1.51 miles

On-site Only
Sterling, CO 80751

482 Adams Ave31.95 miles

482 Adams Ave
Akron, CO 80720

725 E Railroad Ave32.33 miles

725 E Railroad Ave
Akron, CO 80720

1625 Dorwart Dr37.41 miles

1625 Dorwart Dr
Sidney, NE 69162

645 Osage St37.54 miles

645 Osage St
Sidney, NE 69162

1000 Lincoln St39.97 miles

1000 Lincoln St
Fort Morgan, CO 80701

909 E Railroad Ave40.12 miles

909 E Railroad Ave
Fort Morgan, CO 80701

102 W 9th Ave40.19 miles

102 W 9th Ave
Fort Morgan, CO 80701

219 E Railroad Ave Ste B40.59 miles

219 E Railroad Ave Ste B
Fort Morgan, CO 80701

411 W Platte Ave Unit B40.62 miles

411 W Platte Ave Unit B
Fort Morgan, CO 80701

505a E 8th Ave43.35 miles

505a E 8th Ave
Yuma, CO 80759

1001 E Johnson St48.19 miles

1001 E Johnson St
Holyoke, CO 80734

505 S Burg St48.33 miles

505 S Burg St
Kimball, NE 69145

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

In Sterling, Colorado, Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug assessments. Whether for drugs or alcohol, our expertise in hair testing extends to all cities nationwide, offering convenient testing locations. Hair on the head's crown or body, between 1.5 to 2 inches, is generally needed for these analyses. These tests can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, or customized substances.

Hair follicle drug testing has gained popularity over recent years as a preferred method. Unlike standard urine tests, many employers, courts, and substance abuse professionals now favor hair drug tests. These tests cater to zero-tolerance policies, probation requirements, and court orders. The advantage lies in a longer detection window—typically up to 90 days—with an observed collection to prevent tampering, though recent drug use within five days is best detected by urine tests.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over an interval of up to three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) provides approximately 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond ten panels, a sample weight of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four critical stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is processed into the laboratory's system. This phase includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. It's a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug use for most samples; however, to be court-admissible, a positive screen must be confirmed. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging technique.

Confirmation of any positive screen results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
  • Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
  • Provides historical data: It reveals a drug use pattern over time, unlike tests that only detect recent use.

Limitations:

  • Cannot detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days.
  • Cost: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than other methods.
  • Variations in results: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although sometimes termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sterling, CO
When comparing methods, hair follicle testing far surpasses urine tests in detection accuracy and reliability. Its extended detection period offers a broader insight into an individual's drug use—up to 90 days—unlike urine tests which are limited to shorter detection windows.

Employers find confidence in the reliable outcomes from hair testing. Its resistance to adulteration and misrepresentation ensures honest results. Thus, while traditional urine tests serve a purpose for recent detection, hair tests provide a comprehensive overview.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sterling, CO
One of the greatest strengths of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period—up to 90 days. This coverage provides employers with an expansive view to understand an employee’s substance history, offering insights beyond what urine tests reveal.

The longer window creates a significant advantage in monitoring long-term substance use, facilitating informed decisions regarding potential hires or current staff. Such testing solutions help ensure a drug-free workplace, enhancing overall safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sterling, CO
Hair follicle testing is designed to resist manipulation. Unlike other testing approaches, tampering with hair samples proves exceedingly difficult, making it a reliable option for employers seeking credible outcomes.

Such rigorous examination methods ensure that the results cannot easily be falsified. This robustness brings certainty to the process, ensuring peace of mind for firms wanting dependable and unquestionable testing results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sterling, CO
Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy and accessible services with testing centers nationwide and locally within Sterling, CO. Such convenience means easy, hassle-free testing accordance anywhere across the country.

No matter where you are, quick access to testing centers ensures employers and individuals experience swift, reliable service. With such comprehensive reach, scheduling and testing are seamless and straightforward.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sterling, CO
Understanding the significance of privacy, our testing procedure is designed to be both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results protect the participant’s privacy at each stage.

This confidence in confidentiality assures individuals throughout the process, ensuring ease of use and maintaining the integrity of sensitive information from start to finish. Both participants and companies gain peace of mind with our services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sterling, CO
Committed to offering value, Accredited Drug Testing delivers competitive pricing paired with swift turnaround times. Our comprehensive services remain accessible to companies of all sizes, guaranteeing quality without breaking budgets.

Emphasizing efficiency, our prompt delivery of test results reinforces reliability. Whether for small businesses or large corporations, this combination ensures both peace of mind and excellent investment in drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sterling, CO
The precision and speed of hair follicle testing stand unmatched. Delivering high accuracy, these tests efficiently detect substance use. Their ability to identify traces of drugs provides confidence in the results, making them a preferred choice for many.

With Accredited Drug Testing, you get rapid turnarounds and dependable findings. It’s reassuring for employers and individuals seeking trusted results. Trust comes from knowing these tests are indisputably reliable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sterling, CO
Utilizing hair testing aids compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By embracing this method, employers mitigate legal risks and boost workplace safety, as robust testing supports rules enforcement.

The streamlined process presents a straightforward path to uphold organization standards confidently. By reducing potential legal challenges, employers safeguard their businesses against the implications of non-compliance and substance abuse.

What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.


Sterling Drug Testing

Quickly find trusted local drug testing centers in Sterling, CO — fast, convenient, and reliable every time!

Sterling DOT Drug Testing

Quickly find a local DOT drug testing center in Sterling, CO — fast, reliable, convenient nationwide service!

Sterling DNA Testing

DNA testing for legal and non-legal purposes including child support, and child custody around Sterling, CO.

Sterling Industry Training

Including specimen collector training, DER training, reasonable suspicion training and much more in Sterling, CO.v

Sterling Hair Drug Testing

Get fast, accurate hair drug testing at our convenient Sterling, CO locations—results you can trust, every time!

Sterling Alcohol Testing

Fast, reliable alcohol testing to keep your workplace safe and compliant every single day in Sterling, CO.

Sterling Drug Testing Services

Reliable nationwide drug testing services ensuring accuracy, compliance, and quick results for businesses and individuals in Sterling, CO.

Sterling 5 Panel Drug Test

Accurate 5 panel drug testing with fast, confidential results—trusted by Sterling, CO employers and individuals nationwide.

Sterling 10 Panel Drug Test

Comprehensive 10 panel drug testing with fast, reliable results—trusted for Sterling, CO workplace and personal testing needs.

Sterling On Site Drug Testing

Convenient on-site mobile drug testing with fast, reliable results—saving time while keeping your Sterling, CO workplace compliant.

Sterling DOT Physicals

Certified DOT physicals with quick, reliable exams to keep Sterling, CO drivers compliant and on the road with confidence.

DOT Consortium

Join our DOT consortium for hassle-free compliance, random testing management, and reliable driver safety solutions.


Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

Customer Reviews

Thank You!!

I needed a quick drug test for visitation with my children. I called at 6am they answered and set me up with a place a couple miles from my house to go get the test done, that was on Wednesday, I had the results on Friday afternoon and was able to see my kids on Saturday. Thank you for the help!

Mark Broadhead - 2/12/2025

Very Fun and Easy

Trish last week and Tatiana this week, very fun and easy folks to deal with. Well be using them more and more in the future.

Tom O - 12/19/2024

Very professional and very quick

Very professional and very quick service to schedule appointments! I am pleased with the services and would definitely recommend using them for any drug testing needs!

Carrie Feerick - 4/19/2025


(800) 221-4291