Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Opal, SD

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

2 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Opal

Minutes Away, Test Today

Po Box 57712.29 miles

Po Box 577
Faith, SD 57626

105 W Main St Po Box 42733.84 miles

105 W Main St Po Box 427
Bison, SD 57620

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Opal, South Dakota. For those requiring a hair drug or alcohol assessment, Accredited Drug Testing excels in hair evaluations and maintains testing facilities nationwide, capable of conducting hair examinations. Typically, hair samples measuring 1.5 to 2 inches from the crown or body can be used. Hair analyses can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, among other specialized options.

In recent times, hair follicle drug testing has increasingly been incorporated into drug testing methodologies. A growing number of employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse specialists are opting for hair-based tests over traditional urine samples. Hair follicle examinations serve those enforcing zero-tolerance policies on drug use, legal institutions, and individuals on probation. The major advantage of these tests lies in their extended detection window, capable of identifying substance usage up to 90 days, performed under direct supervision, and challenging to circumvent. For recent substance consumption within 5 days, urine tests remain the most precise.

What it is, How it works

The capability of hair testing has been recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug usage. When cut near to the scalp, hair has the ability to present nearly a three-month detection period for alcohol and various drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Acquiring a 1.5-inch length comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar in girth to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, it’s exclusively about scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the process of a laboratory drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s database. This step includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and filling out any supplementary data entry that the electronic chain of custody system does not provide.

Screening serves as a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse. While cost-effective, Screening primarily serves to exclude drug usage in most samples, but a positive result needs confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples yielding presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any screening positives is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash as needed before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed in alignment with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair regulations and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests typically have a shorter detection window.
  • Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, contributing to more accurate outcomes.
  • Supplies historical insight: It reveals a chronology of drug use over time, unlike solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

  • Incapable of detecting recent use: A period of 5-7 days is needed for drugs to be traceable in hair.
  • Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
  • Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although colloquially termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine analysis by offering advanced detection capabilities in Opal, SD. Unlike urine tests, hair evaluations can trace drug use far beyond recent days, showcasing their superior effectiveness.

Advanced Detection: The hair-based testing method tracks substances over extensive periods, ensuring comprehensive insights.

The meticulous nature of hair testing greatly minimizes false results, establishing it as a robust alternative to urine testing in maintaining workplace integrity.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing in Opal, SD, makes it an invaluable resource. Capable of identifying drug usage over a 90-day period, it provides a thorough overview of an individual's substance history.

Comprehensive Insight: This prolonged observation period assists employers in making well-informed decisions regarding employee profiles.

Hair testing's ability to deliver extensive usage history beyond immediate past consumption aids in informed assessments in professional settings.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Opal, SD, significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, yielding consistent and credible results. Their resistance to adulteration ensures that the findings remain intact and believable.

Reliability Guaranteed: The stringent protocol inherent in hair testing blocks common manipulation techniques.

This high level of integrity renders hair follicle testing a preferred choice for accurate, tamper-resistant assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Opal, SD residents and businesses benefit from the accessibility of our nationwide testing centers, which promise a seamless and straightforward testing process. This convenience is underscored by the proximity of local collection sites.

Ease of Access: The wide network of testing locations ensures that requiring services is both efficient and stress-free.

The strategic distribution of these centers facilitates quick responses to booking and testing requirements across various regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Opal, SD, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing privacy and usability concerns. Initiating, undergoing, and receiving results are straightforward.

Customer-Centric Approach: The entire procedure emphasizes security and ease, making it user-friendly and discrete.

Efficient handling ensures privacy is paramount, making certain participants feel acknowledged and protected.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive pricing and brisk turnaround times in Opal, SD for hair follicle tests, ensuring excellent value for businesses of every size. This affordability is combined with high-quality service.

Cost-Effective Solutions: By maintaining budget-friendly rates without sacrificing speed or accuracy, we provide a balance between cost and quality.

Our superior pricing framework supports companies aiming to manage expenses while obtaining dependable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Opal, SD, hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise outcomes, ensuring accuracy in substance use identification. Their methodical approach delivers results swiftly, reducing waiting times for critical decisions. The intricate analysis of hair samples enhances the detection capability, providing trustworthy insights.

Fast Processing: The streamlined procedures ensure swift analysis without compromising quality. The quick turnaround allows for efficient decision-making.

The detailed examination process within hair follicle drug testing makes it especially reliable. In Opal, this accuracy has become a standard expectation for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Opal, SD employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, bolstering safety and minimizing legal liabilities. This compliance translates to tranquility regarding workplace health standards.

Regulatory Assurance: By adopting hair testing, companies demonstrate their commitment to upholding operational safety and integrity.

Consistent enforcement of such standards not only mitigates risks but also enhances the organization's societal image.

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.


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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

Sweet and helpful

Trish was amazing and got me through the sytem very fast and swift. I had a hard time hearing her a couple of times, but she was super sweet and helpful throughout the process. Highly recommend her!

Sophia Schutze - 6/19/2024

Quick, knowledgeable and courteous

Quick, knowledgeable and courteous Janelle worked diligently to support me. I am recommending their services to anyone looking.

Greensboro Joseph - 11/19/2024

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


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