Random drug testing program

Why random testing works

When a test is scheduled weeks ahead, everyone knows when it is coming, including the person being tested. Random testing removes that predictability. Because you do not know which day you will be asked to test, each negative result says something real about your everyday life, not just the day before an appointment.

That is why random testing is so helpful for rebuilding trust. A parent, spouse, employer or clinician does not have to take anyone’s word for it. They can see a steady record of results. And for the person testing, it can be a relief: a clear, simple structure that does the talking for you.

Random testing works best when it is paired with support. Clinical guidance from the American Society of Addiction Medicine describes drug testing as a tool to support care, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that results should not be the only basis for decisions about someone’s care. In our program, a coordinator who knows you is part of every step.

How the program runs

1. Intake call. We talk about your goals, what substances are a concern, any medications you take, and who needs to see results.
2. Written authorization. You sign a release naming each person or program that may receive your results. Nobody else sees them.
3. Your schedule. We set a testing frequency case by case. It can be more frequent early on and taper as you build a record.
4. Electronic notice. On a test day, you receive an electronic notification telling you to report for testing.
5. Report and test. You come to your scheduled location and test. Collection is observed when your plan requires it.
6. Results shared. Results go quickly to your authorized contacts. Presumptive positives can be sent to a partner laboratory for confirmation.

Read How monitoring works for more detail on each step.

Which tests are in the rotation

Your plan can include any combination of our tests, chosen around your goals:

• 12 panel urine

  Screens for common substances such as opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines and cannabis.

  12 panel urine test

• EtG alcohol

  Looks back over recent days for drinking; a strong fit when the goal is abstinence from alcohol.

  EtG test

• Breathalyzer

  Checks for alcohol in your system right now, at the moment of the test.

  Breath test

• Saliva

  Observed oral fluid testing on request, best for detecting recent use.

  Saliva test

Detection windows vary by substance, amount, frequency of use and the person. For example, research on oral fluid found that many substances were detectable in saliva for hours to a few days after use (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2019), while EtG in urine can be detectable for up to about 5 days after drinking at common cutoffs (Mayo Clinic Laboratories). Random timing helps cover the gaps between tests.

Random testing for a family member

Parents and spouses often reach out at moments like these. Maybe your adult son just came home from treatment. Maybe your daughter has promised she has stopped, and you want to believe her. Maybe your partner agreed to testing as part of rebuilding your relationship.

A random testing program gives your family a shared, neutral way to measure progress. The person testing signs the authorization, so they stay in control of who sees results, and you receive results quickly instead of wondering. If a test comes back positive, you are not left alone with it: our coordinator can talk through what it means and what support might help. For more, see our page for families and parents or for teens and young adults.

Fair rules, clearly explained

A random program only works if everyone understands the rules from day one. Before you start, your coordinator will go over:

• How and when you will be notified, and how long you have to report.
• What counts as a missed test, and how a missed test is reported to your authorized contacts.
• Products and medications to disclose or avoid, such as alcohol-based mouthwash or hand sanitizer before an EtG test (Mayo Clinic Laboratories notes these can produce detectable EtG).
• When a presumptive positive will be sent for lab confirmation.
• Who to call if your schedule changes, you are traveling, or you are sick.

Where you report

All testing is by appointment; we do not take walk-ins. Our office is at 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, open for testing Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. When a notice falls outside office hours, testing can be arranged at other Blackburn locations on the Westside. Mobile testing at your home or work is available for an additional fee.

Affordable enough to keep going

Random testing is most valuable over time, so cost matters. Our programs are low cost. Your price depends on how often you test, which tests are included, lab confirmation, chain of custody needs, and whether you use mobile testing. See what affects the cost. If you want more than testing, ask about pairing your program with one-on-one mentoring for accountability and structure at Blackburn Mentoring.

Need more than testing?

A test result tells you what is happening. It does not tell you what to do next. Because Blackburn Monitoring is part of The Blackburn Group, your coordinator can connect you with the right kind of help without starting from scratch somewhere else.

• Therapy and psychiatry

  Individual therapy and psychiatric care for substance use and the mental health concerns that often travel with it.

  Blackburn Clinical Services

• Sober living

  Structured sober living and sober apartments for men in West Los Angeles, for when more support at home would help.

  Blackburn Recovery Services

• Mentoring

  One-on-one mentoring for accountability and structure, with a consistent person who checks in and helps you follow through.

  Blackburn Mentoring

• Scholarship help

  Treatment scholarships through our nonprofit for people who need care and cannot cover the full cost.

  The Blackburn Foundation

Your monitoring coordinator can make the introduction.

Set up a random testing program

Call us to talk it through. Want a coordinator tracking the whole picture? Compare with ongoing monitoring, or get started now.