TestingDrug and Alcohol Testing for Families in Los Angeles. Random testing with electronic notice, home testing and lab confirmation, with results shared only with consent.

When trust has been broken by drinking or drug use, families often live in a fog of doubt. Is he using again? Is she telling the truth? Testing can replace guessing with facts. For the person in recovery, a steady record of results can be a way to show progress and earn back trust, one test at a time.

Testing has limits, too. A test shows whether a substance was found during a certain window of time. It does not explain why someone is using, and it cannot make anyone stop. That is why we talk with families about what will happen after each result, good or bad, before testing starts.

Testing works best as part of a bigger plan, not as a trap. Because monitoring is one area of service within The Blackburn Group, it can sit alongside case management, clinical care, mentoring and family support.

Here is what usually happens when you call (888) 305-5422:

• A real person answers or calls you back, and listens first. You do not need the right words or a diagnosis.
• We ask a few simple questions to help sort out what is going on. We want to know who you are worried about, what has changed, what has already been tried, and what feels most urgent.
• We point you to the right team inside The Blackburn Group, or to an outside resource if that fits better.
• Nothing is shared with anyone without consent. If the person you are worried about is an adult, we talk about what they have agreed to share.

We will also talk about who needs the results, how often testing should happen, and how to explain the plan to your loved one so it feels like support, not punishment.

• Parents of a young adult who has agreed to testing as part of living at home or getting support.
• Spouses and partners rebuilding trust after a relapse.
• People in recovery who want an outside record of their progress.
• Professionals who need results shared with an employer, board or physician.
• People with a court or legal requirement for testing, after checking with their attorney.

If testing is court-ordered, read our guide on court-ordered drug testing in California first, and confirm with your attorney or the court which providers and procedures will be accepted.

• Random testing with electronic notice. The person is notified electronically on testing days, so tests cannot be planned around.
• Home testing. Testing can happen at home, which helps busy families and people who cannot easily get to a collection site.
• Lab confirmation. A positive screen can be sent to a lab for a more precise test before anyone acts on it.
• Results shared with consent. The person being tested decides who receives results, such as parents, a spouse, a therapist or an employer.

Read more on our monitoring page, and see how drug and alcohol monitoring works for a plain walkthrough.

• Agree on the plan together, in writing if it helps: how often, who sees results, and what happens after a missed or positive test.
• Tell the tester about any prescribed medicines before testing.
• Respond to results calmly. A positive result is information, not the end of the story.
• Pair testing with support, such as case management, therapy or a family support group. Our guide on relapse warning signs can help families notice changes early.

Want help setting it up? Call (888) 305-5422.

• How Drug and Alcohol Monitoring Works
• Court-Ordered Drug and Alcohol Testing in California
• Relapse Warning Signs

All guides →

Call (888) 305-5422 or email info@theblackburngroup.org. You can also read our glossary for testing terms.

If someone is in crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.