Accredited Drug Testing expertly provides comprehensive hair follicle drug analysis in Cottonwood, South Dakota. If you're in need of a hair-based drug or alcohol screening, our proficiency in this area ensures accurate testing. With facilities nationwide, individuals can have tests conducted regardless of location. For effective testing, hair from the crown or body hair of 1.5-2 inches is typically needed. These analyses screen for an array of substances including drugs and alcohol/ETG.
Of late, hair follicle drug testing has gained prominence as an alternative to traditional urine tests. Various employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse experts are prioritizing this method. It's often the go-to for those enforcing strict no-drug policies. The rare advantage of hair tests is their lengthy detection period, covering up to 90 days, conducted under direct supervision, reducing the chances of tampering. Still, for recent substance check within 5 days, urine tests maintain their superiority.
* 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 increasingly regarded as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. By collecting hair near the scalp, one can achieve a detection time frame of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.
An ideal 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, suited for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair is suggested. We advise weighing the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair might be gathered. By head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test results undergo four crucial laboratory steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a specimen into a lab's framework. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in extra data entries absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug usage on most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be deemed admissible in court. Presumptively positive samples in Screening mandate a secondary confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is sourced from the initial lot for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting hair drug screening’s complexity.
Positive screening results are confirmed using methodologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Referred to often as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Hair follicle testing stands as a superior alternative to traditional urine tests in Cottonwood, SD. Advantages include enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Hair analysis has a significantly longer detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. In contrast, urine tests have a shorter detection span and are more susceptible to sample manipulation or temporary abstinence.
Employers in Cottonwood, SD, gain extensive insights into an individual's substance history through hair follicle testing, which identifies drug use over a 90-day span. This extended detection window surpasses many traditional methods, delivering a more detailed picture of sustained drug use, beneficial for long-term assessments.
Hair follicle tests provide a strong defense against sample tampering in Cottonwood, SD. Minimized risks of adulteration mean that the results are both reliable and unquestionable. Unlike urine testing, which can be manipulated with adulterants, hair samples remain stable and tamper-resistant, ensuring authenticity.
Our nationwide presence, including in Cottonwood, SD, showcases convenient testing locations for easy access. Whether local or far-reaching, our centers provide hassle-free, prompt testing services across multiple sites, ensuring individuals and employers can schedule and perform tests efficiently without geographical hindrance.
In Cottonwood, SD, the simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing promotes privacy and ease of use. From ordering tests to receiving results, the process is straightforward, with a strong commitment to confidentiality, alleviating concerns surrounding personal data management and testing procedures.
Our offerings in Cottonwood, SD, promise competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. Designed to fit various budgets, the affordability of hair testing coupled with the speed of results ensures value for businesses, enabling them to act swiftly and confidently based on comprehensive substance use assessments.
In Cottonwood, SD, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its swift, precise results. Accurate pollutant detection sets this method apart, ensuring reliability in tracing substances. Results typically confirm usage with high accuracy, offering employers peace of mind knowing the testing method relies on advanced technology to scrutinize substances critically.
For employers in Cottonwood, SD, adopting hair follicle testing instills compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This not only aids in reducing legal risks but also bolsters workplace safety. The assurance that tests are comprehensive and hard to deceive helps businesses maintain a secure and healthy work environment.