I Failed a Drug Test, What Is a SAP Program?

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all mandated employees are 100 percent drug and/or alcohol free. Employees performing safety-sensitive duties in the transportation industry are responsible for providing a safe work environment for their co-workers and the general public. It is for this reason that the DOT requires an employee to complete a SAP program if they failed a mandated drug and/or alcohol screening. If you are an employee who failed a DOT mandated Drug Test, you are probably wondering “What is a SAP Program and Where do I go to be cleared to return to duty?” Let SAP Referral Services (SRS), the leading facilitators of mandated substance abuse evaluations, help you today!

What Is a SAP Program?

The SAP program is a process that employees must go through to be considered to return to their safety-sensitive tasks if they have failed a DOT mandated drug and/or alcohol. If a safety-sensitive employee commits a DOT drug or alcohol regulation violation, he/she must see a DOT qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and successfully complete the return-to-duty process before returning to any safety-sensitive role. The SAP program consists of a SAP evaluation, education and/or treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

What Is a SAP Program’s Process?

The first step in return to duty process is to be evaluated by a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). During this face-to-face clinical evaluation, the SAP determines what type of education and/or treatment the employee must undergo in order to return to their safety sensitive position. Employees must comply with the rules set by the SAP and complete the recommended treatment and/or education.

After compliance to the SAP’s recommended treatment and/or education, the employee must attend a follow-up evaluation to determine if the program was followed as proposed and if the employee is ready to resume their safety-sensitive functions. The SAP is required to write a report to the employer stating the employee’s eligibility (or ineligibility) to return to performing their safety-sensitive job. If the SAP reports that the employee has successfully complied with their prescribed treatment program, the employer can then arrange for a return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test. Once the employer receives a negative test result, the employee may resume his/her safety-sensitive functions.

The SAP must recommend scheduled follow-up drug and/or alcohol. An employee that fails to comply with the SAP’s follow up testing recommendation’s will not be able to continue with their safety-sensitive functions.

Have You Failed a Drug Test and Wonder “What Is a SAP Program?” Get in Touch with SRS Today!

If you have failed a drug or alcohol test and are looking for a qualified SAP in your geographic region, SRS can help. Contact us today to learn more about our FastTrack Enrollment Program so that you can begin your return-to-duty process.

Don’t hesitate to contact SRS if you have failed a DOT-mandated drug or alcohol test.  Our experienced professionals can locate a SAP near you and facilitate enrollment. Finding a SAP provider in your area might be difficult, but with SRS it doesn’t have to be. If you are looking for a qualified SAP provider get in touch with SRS. Our programs have helped thousands just like you complete the program and return to work. Click to enroll in our FastTrack Enrollment 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.