Free resources

A hand holding the Cansford Easy Read guide to having a drug or alcohol test
Our guides are designed to inform and support both those taking and instructing on testing

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Latest insights

A hand holding the Cansford Easy Read guide to having a drug or alcohol test

Our blog is where we unpack the science, share what’s changing in the world of testing, and answer your questions

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Frequently asked questions

A hand holding the Cansford Easy Read guide to having a drug or alcohol test

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Our FAQ page is here to help you find quick, clear, and helpful information about our services

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Our services

A hand holding the Cansford Easy Read guide to having a drug or alcohol test

Learn more about our full range of drug, alcohol and DNA testing services

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Free resources

A hand holding the Cansford Easy Read guide to having a drug or alcohol test

Our guides are designed to inform and support both those taking and instructing on testing

Download now →

Cansford Labs - Pioneering drug and alcohol testing
OUR SERVICES

Drug & Alcohol Testing

Fast, reliable and trusted.

Our breakthrough drug & alcohol testing equals matchless efficiency. We are UKAS-accredited to ISO 17025 (incorporating Lab 51), ensuring rapid, accurate results with reports issued in 3 days.

We are proud to be the UK’s fastest drug and alcohol testing service for our clients. All results within three working days of receipt at our lab.

We provide a wide range of testing solutions for family law, child protection, addiction treatment, education, government, sport and workplaces.

Our testing services are used to establish drug usage history, identify substance abuse patterns, and support decision-making processes in professional and legal contexts. Test matrices include hair, nail, PEth and oral fluid.

Our test types

Hair Strand Testing

Hair strand testing

This test provides clear insights into drug use over an indefinite period, while alcohol use can be detected for up to six months. Our segmented analysis reveals patterns over time, providing deeper insight.

Tests are able to detect a wide range of substances with just a small hair sample, it’s quick, non-invasive, and highly accurate.

PEth Testing

PEth testing

This test detects alcohol use over the past month with unmatched sensitivity. We now include blood EtG in all PEth tests, which
reveals alcohol intake in the last 2–3 days.

Using a quick and painless dry blood spot test, we eliminate the need for venous blood collection, making the process faster,  easier, and just as reliable.

Nail Testing

Nail testing

This test provides a detailed, long-term view of drug and alcohol use, detecting substances for up to 6 months, and works by analysing substances trapped in the keratin as the nail grows.

We test for a wide range of drugs, as well as alcohol, offering a reliable alternative when hair testing isn’t possible.

DNA Testing

DNA testing

DNA testing provides a fast, reliable way to confirm biological relationships, such as paternity, maternity, or sibling connections.

We use a simple, painless cheek swab to collect DNA, with results available in just a few days. Whether for peace of mind or official matters, DNA testing delivers clear, conclusive answers.

CDT Testing

CDT testing

This detects heavy alcohol intake over the past 2-4 weeks by measuring Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin, a biomarker affected by sustained alcohol use.

CDT is tested through a venous blood sample and despite being an indicator for regular high alcohol intake, it is most effective when combined with other tests.

Why do customers choose Cansford Laboratories?

Speed

Our laboratory test results are provided within 3 working days of receipt and we can typically supply collectors within 48 hours.

Value

We believe the highest testing standards should be available
to everyone, and price our services accordingly.

Accuracy

Our ISO17025 accreditation ensures reliable testing and
expert analysis for every test.

Service

Access our lab team immediately, Monday-Friday, supported
by your dedicated case manager.

Innovation

For over 30 years (since we first introduced hair testing to the UK) our pioneering team continues to actively research drug and alcohol testing.

Testimonials

“We had a court-ordered case and we needed a test done quickly. Within two to three days, we had that result…you saved the day”

Law Partner - Manchester

From one of our clients…

British International Helicopters Limited, appointed Cansford Laboratories for our in-house drug and alcohol testing and our back-up sample collection service in July 2021.

From initial enquiry, right through to implementation of the new policy, Cansford have been instrumental in guiding BIHSL through all stages of launching this Policy.

We are incredibly satisfied with their service, their face-to-face training was delivered professionally and they are extremely helpful, knowledgeable and nothing seems to be too much trouble for them.

We would highly recommend Cansford for any business who are considering launching and rolling out a similar Policy in the future.

Marie Lawson
HR Partner, British International Helicopters Ltd

We’re also the only laboratory in the UK able to offer hair testing for steroid use

Expert report writing

Clear, detailed, and court ready - our expert report writing service provides everything you need to support your case.

Every test we conduct comes with a certificate of analysis, but when you need a more in-depth explanation, our reporting scientists can provide a comprehensive, written, expert report. This includes a formal declaration of results, details on our reporting scientists' qualifications, and key information about the sample.

Following feedback from family law professionals, we've designed our reports to ensure they meet the highest standards and usability.