How Do Substance Abuse Professionals Help Me Get Back to Work?

If you have failed a drug and/or alcohol test, it does not necessarily mean the end of your career as a safety-sensitive employee mandated under the Department of Transportation (DOT). If the test was taken at the onset of employment, and the hiring was contingent upon the passing of a drug and/or alcohol screening, the applicant will have to find Substance Abuse Professionals in their area and go through the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) process before they can apply for another safety-sensitive, DOT-mandated position. If the test was taken by a current employee they have to immediately stop their safety-sensitive duties and successfully comply with the SAP process.

Who Has to See Substance Abuse Professionals?

Employees with DOT safety-sensitive status include those who work in the public transit, trucking, aviation, maritime, railroad or pipeline industries. Drug and/or alcohol screenings can be required after certain types of accidents. Screenings can be random, can be ordered to address an issue specific to an employee’s performance or actions that raise suspicion about possible drug and/or alcohol use, and will be a requirement of employment.

It is at the discretion of the employer to determine what the next steps for the employee’s job duties will be in the event of a failed drug and/or alcohol screening. It is important to note that even if you do retain your employment status, there is an automatic loss of your safety-sensitive employee status and you must follow steps of the SAP process to resume your full duties. You may not work in any safety-sensitive position until you have successfully completed the return-to-duty process, and if you do so could have fines levied against you and/or your employer.

What do Qualified Substance Abuse Professionals Do?

A qualified SAP must be a licensed physician or a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, family and marriage therapist, employee assistance professional or an internationally certified drug and alcohol counselor with clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled substance related disorders. A SAP is an advocate for neither you nor your employer; their function is to work in the public interest to ensure public safety. They do this by professionally evaluating the individual and recommending appropriate education/treatment, follow-up tests and aftercare.

How Can I Find a SAP in My Area?

Finding a SAP in your area should not be hard. If you have failed a drug and/or alcohol screening, you can expedite the process of finding a SAP by enrolling in the FastTrack Program. Upon enrollment, SAP Referral Services (SRS) will refer you to a SAP in your area typically within 72 business hours. To learn more about the FastTrack Enrollment Program, or to enroll today, click here.

SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.