SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Has your alcohol and/or drug use impacted your life through the loss of family, friends, employment and health? Have you gotten into legal trouble due to past decisions? Approximately 10% of Americans currently struggle with substance abuse. Even “occasional” use can quickly escalate into dependency, and it can be very difficult to break free once this cycle has begun. Participants in our program may voluntarily seek help with our services, while others are oftentimes involved in diversion programs that required attendance in group sessions in order to meet the requirements of the court in relation to their specific violation /offense. Upon successful completion of the program, defendants may be eligible to have their case dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.

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 screening. 

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all mandated employees are 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 have failed a mandated drug and/or alcohol screening. If you are an employee who failed a DOT mandated Drug Test, you may be wondering “What is a SAP Program and Where do I go to be cleared to return to duty?”

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 screening. 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 (if determined necessary).

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 clinical recommendations established by the SAP and complete the recommended education and/or treatment.

After compliance to the SAP’s recommended education and/or treatment, the  employee must attend a follow-up evaluation with the SAP, 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 screening. 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 testing. 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 FSC Today!

If you have failed a drug or alcohol test and are looking for a qualified SAP in the Huntsville/Madison County area, we can help.  Contact us today to learn more so that you can begin your return-to-duty process.