When a DOT regulated worker is removed from the job for a failed or refused drug test, every day off of work seems like it is too long. Many fear a SAP evaluation will be a lengthy process that will have them out of work for an extended period of time and create financial hardships.
How Long Does a DOT SAP Evaluation Take?
When a DOT regulated employee, such as a CDL truck driver or railroad worker, tests positive for an alcohol and drug test they will ultimately have to meet with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for an evaluation. Although each evaluation may differ slightly, they are for the most part the same. The actual evaluation probably only takes an hour. Like most chemical assessments, the SAP evaluator will be asking a lot of questions about your history to get a comprehensive assessment. They will want to know about medical issues, medications, legal history, family history, relationships, mental health history but most importantly they will be doing a thorough chemical use history. They will go through each chemical used over your life span looking for frequency and quantity of use at different stages. They will also be asking questions that are intended to determine if there is abuse or dependence on substances. They will also have you take an objective test. This is typically a paper and pencil test that may take 10-20 minutes. Most SAP evaluators also want to fact check the information provided and may want to be in contact with your spouse, family members, or friends to ascertain if the information you provided is accurate. Ironically, this is often the longest part of the SAP evaluation. How fast you get collateral contact questionnaires back to the SAP evaluator will ultimately determine how fast things go.
After the SAP Evaluation Can I get Back to Work?
The SAP Evaluation is one step in the return to duty process. Federal DOT regulations generally require a minimum of some type of education course or treatment if that is warranted. Treatment programs typically run 4-12 weeks, where education courses often run from 2-16 hours. Education class can often be completed fairly quickly where treatment is a much more involved process designed to help a person recognize their addiction and get the tools they need to stay sober. After treatment or the education class, employees do a follow up meeting with the SAP evaluator to verify completion of the recommendations. Once that is done, there is always a return to duty drug or alcohol test that must happen. Employees have to produce a negative test result before the DOT can put them back in good standing. Employees who are motivated to get back to work, and do not need a full treatment program, can easily get through the whole return to duty process in a few days. The average for most people is 2-3 weeks, often because they are slow at getting information back to the SAP evaluator or completing their recommendations.
If you need a SAP Evaluation following a positive test, feel free to contact IPC so you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Anderson, Psy.D., LP, SAP so we can help you get back to work as soon as possible. Please call us now at 763-416-4167, or request an appointment on our website: WWW.IPC-MN.COM so we can sit down with you and complete a thorough assessment and help you develop a plan of action that will work for you. Life is too short to be unhappy. Find the peace of mind you deserve.
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