Substance Abuse Professional List Benefits… and Downsides
As a DOT-mandated employee you may have heard about Substance Abuse Professional list benefits, but you may also have had trouble using one in the past. Maybe you are trying to decide between going with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) list or a service agent referral by learning about the Substance Abuse Professional list benefits. Wherever you are in this process, it is important to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks to using a SAP list so that you can get the help you need to get back to work.
Why Would a DOT-Mandated Employee Be Given a Substance Abuse Professional List?
A DOT-mandated, safety-sensitive employee is given a Substance Abuse Professional list because they failed, or refused to submit, a drug and/or alcohol test. If either test is failed, the employer is required by law to give an employee either a referral to a service agent or a Substance Abuse Professional list. Whether the employer provides the employee with a SAP list or a referral is dependent on the protocol they have in place.
Learning About Substance Abuse Professional List Benefits
The benefits of a SAP list mostly fall in the category of immediate gratification. An employee can begin their search for a Substance Abuse Professional in their area immediately after receiving a SAP list. Once an employee begins to call the SAPs on the list they may start to realize that this process can become lengthy.
Downsides of Using a Substance Abuse Professional List
While the Substance Abuse Professional list benefits may seem appealing, it can slow down the process for employees. Oftentimes, after calling several SAPs, employees end up leaving messages and have to wait on returned calls to see who has the availability they need. Their chosen SAPs might not have open appointments, or they may not even be accepting new clients. This can be frustrating for an employee who wants to get back to work in a timely fashion. Lists can also quickly get outdated, so in some cases the Substance Abuse Professionals listed may not maintain their credentials properly. If an employee goes through the process with a SAP who may not have the proper credentials there’s a chance they might have to complete the process again.
Benefits of Choosing a SAP Service Agent
If you choose to use a service agent instead of a SAP list you’ll be referred to a SAP in your area quickly, which allows you to start the SAP process immediately. Utilizing a service agent, specifically SAP Referral Services, allows you to be scheduled with a SAP in your area typically within 72-business hours from enrollment. Another benefit is that service agents ensure that the SAPs have their credentials maintained.
If you are looking to find a SAP quickly, consider contacting SAP Referral Services. Enrollment is quick and easy, and completed online. Typically within 72-business hours from enrollment you will be scheduled with a SAP in your geographic region. Click here to learn more and enroll 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.