Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harrisburg, SD

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair carries a historical record of drug and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the growing hair's fibers. Collected next to the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, hard to falsify, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample for initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, we refer only to scalp hair. Body hair covers all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The essential steps in laboratory processing of drug tests are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step in processing a sample within the lab system. This stage includes verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completing any additional data not provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial speedy evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for court acceptability. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary verification.

Should a sample be presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can find evidence of drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a more limited detection window.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug testing is quite hard to cheat, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Traces past usage: It provides a usage pattern over time, not just immediate recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs take around 5-7 days to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Harrisburg, SD stands out with superior detection accuracy and reliability. The ability to identify drug use over an extended period gives it an edge, making it the preferred choice for many organizations.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Harrisburg, SD is unparalleled, as it can reveal drug use over the past 90 days. This comprehensive view helps employers understand an individual's substance history better, aiding informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Harrisburg, SD significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering. The tests are designed to offer reliable and authentic results, ensuring that the testing process remains trustworthy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our network of testing centers nationwide, including in Harrisburg, SD, ensures quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing services. The convenience of local as well as widespread locations simplifies the testing process for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Harrisburg, SD, the process for ordering, conducting, and obtaining results from a hair follicle test is both simple and confidential. This ensures user privacy and ease, addressing any potential concerns regarding discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, Harrisburg, SD businesses benefit from affordable hair follicle drug testing. These services deliver excellent value and peace of mind, accommodating companies of various sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Harrisburg, SD, hair follicle drug testing is known for its precision and speed, offering highly accurate detection of substance use. The method is not only quick but also provides reliable results, giving employers confidence in the integrity of the test.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Harrisburg, SD, using hair follicle testing for drug screening helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This approach reduces legal liabilities and enhances safety within the work environment.

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