Tests we offer
In short
Blackburn Monitoring offers 12 panel urine drug tests, EtG alcohol tests, breathalyzer BAC tests and saliva tests on request, with partner laboratory confirmation for positives. Each test looks back over a different window of time, so the right choice depends on what you need to know. Here is how they compare.
Every test answers a different question. A breath test tells you about right now. An EtG test looks back over recent days for alcohol. A 12 panel urine cup screens for common drugs. A saliva test catches very recent use. Choosing well matters more than testing often, and a monitoring coordinator will help you choose. For a deeper comparison, see urine vs saliva vs hair testing.
Talk to a real person today. Call (888) 305-5422. Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Testing by appointment.
The tests at a glance
| Test | What it checks | How far back it usually looks | Often used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 panel urine drug test | Common drug classes such as opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines and cannabis | Days for most drugs after occasional use; longer for heavy, regular use of some drugs | Random monitoring programs, family agreements, court ordered testing |
| EtG alcohol test | A breakdown product of alcohol in urine | Commonly described as about 3 days; a reference lab notes up to 5 days | Abstinence from alcohol, recovery monitoring |
| Breathalyzer (BAC) | Alcohol in the body at the moment of the test | Hours, not days | Checking for current drinking, pairing with EtG |
| Saliva (oral fluid) test | Recent drug use | Usually hours to a few days, depending on the drug | On request, when a fully observed, quick collection is the priority |
| Lab confirmation | Confirms or rules out a positive screen with laboratory methods | Same sample, analyzed more precisely | Any presumptive positive that will be acted on |
Detection windows are general ranges from published sources, not predictions for one person. Dose, frequency of use, body size, hydration, metabolism and the test’s cutoff all change the result. Sources: SAMHSA TAP 32, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Screening first, then confirmation when it matters
Instant tests are screens. They are fast and affordable, and a negative screen is usually the end of the story. A positive screen is different: it is presumptive. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes drug testing as a two step process, an initial screen followed by a more specific confirmation test, and notes that a test result alone does not diagnose a substance use disorder (NIDA).
That is why we send presumptive positives that will be acted on to our partner laboratories for confirmation. When a court, attorney or professional program needs it, we can also provide chain of custody documentation that records who handled the sample and when.
How we help you pick the right test
Most people do not need every test. They need the right combination for what they are trying to show or learn. In your first call, a coordinator will ask a few plain questions:
- Drugs, alcohol or both? Breath and EtG tests cover alcohol. Urine cups and saliva tests cover drugs. Many programs combine a urine cup with an EtG or breath test.
- Who needs to see the results? A family member, a therapist, an attorney or no one but you. Results go only to the people you authorize in writing.
- Is there a formal requirement? If a court, employer or licensing program set rules, bring them. Ask your attorney or program whether a specific vendor or format is required before you begin.
- How often? Frequency is set case by case. Random schedules give the most useful picture, because nobody can plan around them.
- Which medications do you take? Some prescriptions can show on a screen. Tell us before testing so results are read correctly.
What every test at Blackburn includes
Whatever test you take, you are dealing with people, not a kiosk. Testing is by appointment at our office at 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Outside those hours we can arrange testing at other Blackburn locations on the Westside. Mobile testing at your home or workplace is available for an additional fee.
- A monitoring coordinator who knows your plan and answers your calls.
- Electronic notices when it is time to test, if you are on a random program.
- Results shared quickly, and only with the people you authorize in writing.
- Partner laboratory confirmation for positives, and chain of custody documentation when needed.
- Low cost pricing. What you pay depends mostly on the test type, how often you test and whether lab confirmation or written reports are needed.
Our staff are experienced in mental health and substance use. If a result is hard news, we will talk it through with you and help you decide what comes next.
What we do not offer
We do not perform DOT regulated testing. If your situation requires a specific vendor, such as a licensing board’s contracted program, we will tell you honestly and can still support you alongside it.
From one test to a plan
A single test answers one question on one day. Many people get more out of a short program: random tests over weeks or months, with results going to the people who need them. If that sounds like what you are after, read how monitoring works and give us a call.
Need more than testing?
Monitoring is the first step, not the last. If a result or a hard week tells you more help is needed, Blackburn can connect you to it.
Therapy and psychiatry
Assessment, therapy and psychiatric care at Blackburn Clinical Services.
Visit Blackburn Clinical ServicesSober living
Structured sober living and sober apartments on the Westside through Blackburn Recovery Services.
Visit Blackburn Recovery ServicesMentoring
One-on-one mentoring for accountability and structure, at work, at home and in daily life.
Visit Blackburn MentoringScholarship help
Treatment scholarships for people who need care and cannot cover the cost, through The Blackburn Foundation.
Visit The Blackburn Foundation
Your monitoring coordinator can make the introduction.
Talk to a real person today. Call (888) 305-5422. Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Testing by appointment.
If someone may have taken too much of a substance, is hard to wake, or is in danger, call 911. For a mental health or suicidal crisis, call or text 988. For free, confidential treatment referrals, the SAMHSA National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357.
Common questions
Which test should I take?
It depends on whether you need to check for drugs, alcohol or both, and how far back you need to look. A breath test shows alcohol right now, an EtG test shows drinking over recent days, and a 12 panel urine cup screens for common drugs. A coordinator will recommend a combination in your first call.
Can I do more than one test at the same visit?
Yes. Many people combine a urine drug screen with an EtG or breath test at one appointment, so drugs and alcohol are both covered.
Do you do DOT testing?
No. We do not perform DOT regulated testing. Our tests are for families, individuals, clinicians, legal matters outside DOT rules and non DOT employers.
Are instant test results final?
A negative instant screen is usually reliable for everyday monitoring. A positive screen is presumptive, and we send positives that will be acted on to a partner laboratory for confirmation.
Do I need a doctor's order to get tested?
No. You can call us directly to book a test or set up a monitoring program. If a court, employer or program has its own rules, bring them so we can match them.
Not ready to call? Request a callback.