DOT SAP Evaluation and Case Study: Public Safety Regulations Make a Difference

When an employee is required to receive a DOT SAP evaluation many times they are frustrated, confused and just want to get back to work. Without knowing all that is involved, employees may feel overwhelmed with the process. Their employers may give them a list of qualified SAPs and they are sent on their way. Many phone calls and voicemails later, the employee wants to give up. This is where SAP Referral Services comes in. With our FastTrack enrollment service, employees are typically scheduled with a qualified SAP in their area within 72 hours.

To better understand the DOT SAP evaluation process, we have provided you with the case study below.

DOT SAP Evaluation and Case Study

Any relation to actual people or events are purely coincidental.

A shocked employer calls wondering how quickly their employee can be returned to duty. The long-time dependable employee must have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time and was called for a random drug test which came back positive.

After gathering information, the employer has the employee call in for a brief telephonic intake. The frustrated employee calls. He tested positive for Cocaine and has no idea how this is possible. The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) process is explained to the employee, the employee enrolls into the SAP program and the employee is scheduled for the initial SAP evaluation.

It is determined at the SAP evaluation that the employee would benefit from an outpatient treatment program. The employee is adamant that he does not use drugs. The employee is confused since he can’t recall the events of the bachelor party that weekend at the beach but knows he drank too much. He asked around and found out that indeed Cocaine was at the party and he did in fact try it. The employee enters the treatment program and recognizes he needs to change his drinking. It scares him that he cannot recall the details of the party only that he was drinking beer and had several shots of whiskey. The program combines education and treatment groups, individual counseling, testing, support group meeting attendance and develops a relapse prevention plan before discharge.

Upon completion of the treatment program, the employee returns to the SAP for a follow-up evaluation. The employee presents healthier and more animated. He shares what he has learned through attendance of the treatment program and support group meetings. He realized that most nights at home, he and his wife had a cocktail before dinner or a bottle of wine with dinner. They drank socially on the weekends, but often drank more than they planned to and would need to call a cab to get home. He and his wife have committed to helping each other remain sober. He has shared what he has experienced and learned with his teenage children. He reports having more energy and is able to sleep better. He feels ready to return to work.

The employer was contacted and informed the employee had successfully completed the SAP program, and the next step for return to work would require a negative return to duty alcohol and drug test. Follow-up testing would then be required and the employee was recommended to attend AA meetings for aftercare.

The employer called back weeks later to share the employee was back to work. After much hesitation about how the process would end, the employer was happy to report the employee was more productive than ever and hasn’t missed one day of work since returning.

For more information on our FastTrack Enrollment service, click here. You can enroll online in a matter of minutes! Enrollment is quick – only a matter of 2 steps and we can typically get you scheduled within 72 business hours with a DOT or Non-DOT provider convenient to your geographic location.