Why Do I Need to See a DOT Substance Abuse Professional?

Are you a safety-sensitive, DOT-mandated employee who is required to see a DOT Substance Abuse Professional in order to return to work? If you have recently been removed from your safety-sensitive duties due to an alcohol and/or drug violation, you must connect with a DOT qualified SAP to start the return-to-duty process.

Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace – A Growing Problem

Drugs and alcohol are serious problems in the modern workplace. Nearly half of all workplace accidents that result in death or serious injury involve drugs or alcohol. Drug-abusing employees are almost four times as likely to have a workplace accident. This issue is even more serious when it comes to DOT-mandated, safety-sensitive employees for whom workplace accidents can have especially serious consequences.

What Is a DOT Substance Abuse Professional and How Can They Help Me?

Substance Abuse Professionals, or SAPs, are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse- related issues, DOT drug and alcohol testing procedures, and the DOT return-to-duty process. If you have violated DOT regulations regarding drugs and alcohol, a SAP will evaluate your substance misuse, make recommendations for treatment and/or education, recommend follow-up testing, and make sure you get the aftercare you need. Once you have successfully complied with the recommended protocol, the SAP will fill out a follow-up report, prescribe a return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test, and potentially a series of follow-up tests to make sure that you remain in compliance. These tests can continue for anywhere from one to five years, depending on the SAP’s recommendations. Without the help of a DOT Substance Abuse Professional you will not be able to return to any safety-sensitive role.

How to Find a DOT Substance Abuse Professional

Finding a SAP in your area may require a bit of work, but your employer can get you started. DOT regulations require your employer to provide you with a list of DOT-qualified SAPs in your area, or a referral to a service agent. Finding a SAP through a SAP list can be hard, as you have to call multiple SAPs to see if they have current qualifications, can take on new clients, have availability, etc. Finding a SAP through a service agent, like SAP Referral Services (SRS), is simple – with just one phone call SRS can schedule you an appointment with a SAP in your area typically within 72-business hours.

Connect With a DOT and SAP Qualified Professional Today

Instead of calling and calling until you find a SAP and hoping that they are qualified and have availability, why not just give us a call at 410-668-8110? We’re the gold standard when it comes to substance abuse evaluation, treatment, and testing.