How Can a Substance Abuse Professional Help?
Drug and alcohol testing is a reality for all safety-sensitive DOT mandated employees. Beginning with pre-employment through periodic, random testing, the goal is to ensure that these employees are drug and alcohol free. Unfortunately, there are occasions when someone is not adhering to the rules. In that case, that employee will be required to meet with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP).
According to the US Department of Transportation (DOT), a Substance Abuse Professional must evaluate employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation. Additionally, a SAP makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare. To be a qualified SAP, an individual has to go through training, pass a qualification examination, and complete continuing education requirements.
How a Substance Abuse Professional Helps
When a DOT-mandated, safety-sensitive employee receives a “positive” result after drug and/or alcohol testing, a SAP is necessary. A SAP must conduct a face-to-face assessment with the employee. After the assessment, a SAP chooses which treatment or education requirement the employee must complete.
Treatment could include:
- In-patient treatment
- Partial in-patient treatment
- Out-patient treatment
- Education programs
- Aftercare
Education recommendations can include drug and alcohol education courses, self-help groups (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous), and community lectures. Education programs can be very helpful in the recovery process for individuals. However, education programs such as self-help groups, cannot be substituted for treatment programs.
Benefits of Partnering with a Substance Abuse Service Agent
Finding a qualified SAP quickly is usually a top priority. For this reason, partnering with a service agent who specializes in finding SAPs benefits both the employer and the employee. A service agent ensures the SAP is up to date on all qualifications at all times. This includes confirming that the SAP has:
- Clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of drug and alcohol disorders
- DOT SAP qualification training
- Passed the nationally-recognized DOT SAP exam
- Completed their 12 hours of continuing education every three years after their initial qualification
It is important to note that SAP credentials are often self-reported. Therefore, if a DOT-mandated, safety-sensitive employee locates a SAP on their own, and works with a SAP whose qualifications have expired, they may have to repeat the entire SAP program. A service agent can help ensure that this situation never occurs.
Why Choose SAP Referral Services
Established in 2003, SAP Referral Services (SRS) is now the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations in North America. With SAPs in over 3,000 locations nationwide, countless organizations trust SRS with meeting DOT standards for SAP procedures.
SRS provides employees with qualified SAPs to ensure that all assessments are quick and professional. SRS retains all copies of case reports and SAP credentials. And in the case of a Part 40 audit, all records will be easily accessible through SRS. To find out more about how SRS can help you help your employees, contact us today.
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.