Navigating Florida’s Substance Abuse Resources: How to Find a Substance Abuse Professional

Are you looking for a Substance Abuse Professional in Florida to help you through the return to duty process?

Substance abuse treatment is a comprehensive approach to helping people who struggle with addiction. It can include a combination of medical, psychological, and social interventions that are tailored to the individual’s needs. Treatment can be provided in inpatient or outpatient settings and may include individual counseling, group therapy, medication management, family therapy, and other services.

Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) are licensed and certified professionals who provide evaluations for individuals with substance use disorders. In addition to evaluating the employee, they are responsible for providing recommendations on treatment plans. SAPs must be DOT qualified in order to work with safety-sensitive employees who have failed a drug and/or alcohol test and are struggling with substance use disorders.

DOT Mandated Employees Looking for a Substance Abuse Professional in Florida, or Anywhere Nationwide

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has regulations in place to ensure that employees performing safety-sensitive tasks are doing so in a safe and responsible manner, free from drugs and/or alcohol. These regulations apply to individuals who work for employers who are regulated by the DOT, such as bus drivers, air traffic controllers, pilots, railroad engineers, and other safety-sensitive positions.

After a failed DOT mandated drug and/or alcohol test, a safety-sensitive employee will be removed from their safety-sensitive duties and have to complete the return to duty process. This starts out with locating a Substance Abuse Professional in Florida, or anywhere nationwide, to receive an initial evaluation. The SAP may discuss their substance abuse history with them, as well as any treatment or educational programs to complete. Once they have shown compliance with the SAPs outlined program, they can return for a follow-up evaluation. If the SAP has determined compliance, they can submit to a return to duty drug and/or alcohol test. If they submit a negative result they can return to safety-sensitive duties. Employees should be aware, however, that they will have to submit to additional drug and/or alcohol test as recommended by their SAP.

Does Your Substance Abuse Professional Have Up-to-Date Qualifications?

It is imperative to ensure that your SAP has current qualifications. Employees who complete the return to duty process with a SAP that has lapsed qualifications may need to complete the process again. This is why partnering with a service agent, such as SAP Referral Services, to find a Substance Abuse Professional in Florida, or anywhere nationwide, is an easy choice. SAP Referral Services has a network of qualified SAPs nationwide. Get in touch to learn more today!