A clear, written testing policy protects residents, staff and the house. It tells everyone what to expect, keeps testing consistent, and makes difficult decisions easier to defend. Use this checklist to write or update your sober living home's policy.
1. Purpose and consent
- State why the house tests: to support recovery and keep the home safe and substance-free.
- Include the policy in the residency agreement and have every resident sign it at move-in.
2. When residents are tested
- Move-in: test every new resident on arrival.
- Random: unannounced tests on unpredictable days and times, often about once a week.
- For cause: when behavior, a missed curfew or other signs raise a concern.
- After time away: when a resident returns from an overnight pass.
3. What you test for
Name the panel you use. A 12 panel cup with alcohol (EtG) covers most houses; a 13 panel adds kratom and K2. State that you may add single-drug strips, such as EtG alcohol or kratom, at any time. See what each panel detects.
4. Collection procedure
- Who collects samples, and whether collections are observed (same gender, if so).
- Resident must provide a sample within a set time after notice (for example, 2 hours).
- Coats and bags stay outside; water sources are turned off or taped.
- Temperature checked within 4 minutes (90 to 100°F). See spotting fake samples.
5. Refusals and tampering
Most houses treat a refusal, a failure to produce a sample in the time allowed, or a tampered or substituted sample the same as a positive result. Say so clearly in the policy.
6. Prescriptions
Require residents to disclose all prescriptions and keep them on file. Explain how a positive result from a valid prescription is handled, and list any medications the house does not allow.
7. Positive results and confirmation
- What happens after a preliminary positive (for example, a conversation, a retest or a lab confirmation).
- That the resident may request laboratory confirmation, and who pays for it.
- The consequences, applied the same way to everyone.
8. Records and privacy
Log every test with the date, time, collector, panel, cup lot number and result. Keep records secure and share them only as the resident agrees or the law requires.
9. Follow local rules
State law, local ordinances and any certifying organization you belong to may set requirements for recovery residences. Review your policy against them, and update it as they change.
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Request a Bulk QuoteFrequently asked questions
How often should a sober living home drug test?
Many test on move-in and randomly about once a week, plus whenever there is cause. Follow your house rules and any certification requirements.
Should sober living homes test for alcohol?
Yes, if the house is alcohol-free. Standard drug panels do not detect alcohol, so use a cup with EtG or add an EtG strip.
Is a refusal the same as a positive test?
Most houses treat a refusal or a tampered sample as a positive. Put that rule in writing.
Do residents have to consent to testing?
Testing terms should be in the residency agreement residents sign at move-in.
Related guides
- What is an EtG alcohol test?
- How to spot a diluted or fake urine sample
- How to read a drug test cup
- Instant drug tests vs. lab tests
Instant urine tests give preliminary results. Confirm any preliminary positive with a laboratory test (such as GC/MS) before taking action. Always follow the package insert.