Department of Transportation: Substance Abuse Professional
Are you someone who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation?
Has your employer informed you that you are not permitted to perform safety-sensitive duties for any DOT-regulated employer until you have seen a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and successfully completed the return-to-duty process, which includes a Federal return-to-duty drug and/or alcohol test?
The SAP evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
As a SAP, we advocate for neither the employer nor the employee. My recommendations protect the public safety in the event that the employee returns to the performance of safety-sensitive functions.
My fundamental responsibilities as SAP is to provide a comprehensive face-to-face assessment and clinical evaluation to determine what level of assistance the employee needs in resolving problems associated with alcohol use or prohibited drug use. Thereafter, a recommendation for course of education and/or treatment is provided in which the employee must demonstrate successful compliance prior to returning to DOT safety-sensitive duty. Treatment recommendations can include, but are not limited to: In-patient treatment, partial in-patient treatment, out-patient treatment, education programs, and aftercare. Education recommendations can include but are not limited to drug and alcohol education courses, self-help groups, and community lectures. Upon the determination of the best recommendation for assistance, I will serve as a referral source to assist you with entry into an acceptable program, as needed.
