Getting Ready for Your Substance Abuse Evaluation
If you have failed a DOT mandated drug or alcohol test, or refused to be tested altogether, you’ll be removed from your safety sensitive DOT-mandated position. Now what? Your first step to returning to work requires a substance abuse evaluation. This key component helps get to the heart of what could be causing your addiction or substance abuse issues. Plus, and more importantly, you’ll learn how to address any issues that are found. Please read on to demystify the process and learn about what you can expect from it.
The Benefits of Using a SAP
SAP is short for Substance Abuse Professional. These experts in the field of addiction look at each employee and provide a custom assessment including:
- Identification of severity of substance abuse issue
- Recommendation for treatment and/or education
- Monitoring of progress
- Follow-up evaluation
The importance of utilizing these professionals comes from their experience as well as education and training on substance abuse issues. To become a DOT-qualified SAP, one must meet both training and education requirements.
What Happens During a Substance Abuse Evaluation?
The process of a substance abuse evaluation is fairly straightforward, but it takes time. First and foremost, the SAP starts out with a face-to-face discussion that allows them to learn about the client; this time also helps identify possible issues.
After an initial consultation, the SAP will forward a report to the employer with their recommendations for any necessary treatment or education plans. They also follow up throughout the process to ensure everything is going well. Afterwards, the SAP performs a face-to-face follow-up evaluation and offers their final analysis to the employer regarding the client’s ability to submit to a return-to-duty test. Finally, the SAP outlines the required follow-up testing plan.
Explaining the Return-To-Duty Process
The return-to-duty process is a simple one that the DOT requires to reestablish your employment and judge your ability to resume safety-sensitive work. As mentioned above, you may only be cleared to take a return-to-duty test after complying with the full SAP recommended treatment plan. Keep in mind that it is the employer’s choice to welcome you back to your previous job based on return test results as well as other considerations.
Connecting with a qualified SAP is more than a mandated step to return to work. They also provide the knowledge and experience to help in all substance abuse areas. Partner with SAP Referral Services to make finding a SAP in your local area quick and easy. Our FastTrack Enrollment offers rapid access to DOT-qualified and caring SAPs in over 3,000 locations across the country. Contact us today to find out more and sign up to get your career as well as your life back on track.
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.