One-time drug and alcohol tests in Los Angeles

When a single test is the right call

Not everyone needs a program. Sometimes you need one clear, objective answer. A family member has agreed to take a test so you can stop arguing about it. You want a result for your own peace of mind. Someone in your life has asked for proof before an important conversation or decision. A one-time test at Blackburn Monitoring gives you that answer quickly, with the care and documentation a home kit cannot offer.

We book one-time tests by appointment at our office at 12326 Venice Blvd in Los Angeles, Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. We do not take walk-ins, but when you call we will find the earliest appointment that works for you. If you cannot come to us, mobile testing at your home or workplace is available for an additional fee.

Tests you can book

• 12 panel urine drug test

  An instant screen for common substances such as opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines and cannabis. It is the most common choice for a one-time drug test.

  Learn about the 12 panel

• Breathalyzer (BAC)

  Shows whether alcohol is in your system at the moment you test. Useful when the question is about right now.

  Learn about breath testing

• EtG alcohol test

  A urine test that can detect drinking over the past several days. Useful when the question is whether someone has been drinking recently, not just today.

  Learn about EtG

• Saliva drug test

  An observed oral fluid test available on request. It mainly reflects recent use.

  Learn about saliva testing

Not sure which to book? Tell us what you are trying to find out. A breath test and an EtG test answer very different questions: one shows alcohol right now, while EtG can be detectable for up to about 5 days after drinking, depending on how much was consumed and the cutoff used (Mayo Clinic Laboratories). We will help you pick the test, or combination, that actually answers your question.

Why test with us instead of a home kit

Drugstore and online test cups are cheap and easy to find. They can also be easy to get wrong, easy to beat when nobody is watching, and hard to interpret. A one-time test with us adds the things that make a result trustworthy:

• A trained person collecting the sample, with observed collection when the situation calls for it.
• Lab confirmation available. If the instant screen shows a presumptive positive, the sample can be sent to a partner laboratory for confirmation.
• Chain of custody documentation when the result needs to hold up for an attorney, court or professional program.
• Results shared only with people you authorize in writing, and shared quickly.
• Someone to explain the result and, if needed, help you think about next steps.

Confirmation matters. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that screening tests are designed to be fast and sensitive, and that positive screens should be confirmed with a more specific method. Medications, some foods and other products can occasionally affect results, so please tell us what you take before you test. More on this is on our lab confirmation page.

What to expect at your appointment

1. Book by phone. Call (888) 305-5422. We will ask what the test is for, which test fits, and who should receive the result.
2. Bring a photo ID. We confirm identity before every collection.
3. Disclose medications. Tell us about prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines so the result can be read fairly.
4. Sign your authorization. You decide in writing who may see the result.
5. Test. Instant screens and breath tests are quick. Collection is observed when needed.
6. Get your result. Instant results are shared quickly with the people you authorized. A lab confirmation takes longer, and we will tell you what to expect.

Testing a loved one

If you are a parent or partner arranging a test for someone else, the person being tested still needs to agree, show ID and sign the authorization for you to receive the result. That is not a hurdle; it is what makes the result something you can both trust. If you are worried about how to bring up testing, call us first. We can help you think through the conversation. You may also find our pages for families and teens and young adults helpful.

When one test turns into a plan

A single result is a snapshot. If you need ongoing reassurance, or if a test is positive and you want to see change over time, a random testing program or ongoing monitoring may be the better fit. We can move you from a one-time test into a program without starting over.

And if a result shows someone needs more than testing, we can help with that too.

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.

Cost of a one-time test

One-time tests are affordable. The price depends on which test you book, whether a positive is sent for lab confirmation, whether you need chain of custody documentation, and whether you use mobile testing. Read what affects testing costs or call for current pricing.

We do not perform DOT-regulated testing. If your employer requires a DOT test, you will need a DOT-qualified collection site.