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DOT SAP Pocket Guide

Your Comprehensive Guide to Returning to Duty

Veronica M. Verges, LPC, ICAADC, CEAP, SAP Qualified

"The Gatekeeper of the Return to Duty Process"

What Is the SAP Process?

The SAP process ensures the safety of individuals in safety-sensitive roles. It is mandatory for anyone who violates DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations. The key steps include:

1. Initial Evaluation

2. Treatment/Education

3. Follow-Up Evaluation

4. Return-to-Duty Testing

5. Follow-Up Testing Program

Contact a Qualified SAP

Reach out to a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). They will guide you through the return-to-duty process.

Tips:

Have your violation notice ready.
Be prepared to provide employer details

Step 1: Attend the Initial Evaluation

The SAP will assess your situation and recommend treatment or education.

Tips:

Be honest during the evaluation.
Understand the recommended next steps.

Step 2: Complete the Treatment/Education Plan

Follow the SAP's recommendations, which may include:

– Counseling

– Substance abuse education programs

– Rehabilitation

Tips:

Keep proof of completion.
Document your progress.

Step 3: Follow-Up Evaluation

Meet with your SAP after completing the treatment plan. The SAP will confirm your compliance and submit a report.

Tips:

Schedule your follow-up promptly.
Provide any required documentation.

Step 4: Pass the Return-to-Duty Test

The employer arranges a drug and/or alcohol test under direct observation. A negative result is required to return to work.

Tips:

Ensure you are substance-free before testing.
Follow the testing guidelines carefully.

Step 5: Follow-Up Testing Program

After returning to work, you will be subject to unannounced follow-up tests for up to 5 years.

Tips:

Stay compliant with all testing requirements.
Maintain a substance-free lifestyle.

Contact Me,

Veronica M. Verges, LPC, ICAADC, CEAP, YOUR SAP Qualified Evaluator

• Website: www.SpecializedCounselingSolutions.com

• Phone: (484) 482-8860

• Email: [email protected]

• Contact me today to start your return-to-duty process!

TeleHealth

Telehealth Services for ALL of Pennsylvania.

Do you need support, but can’t make it to an in-person appointment? Are you a busy stay-at-home or working parent, and don’t have the time to drive across town for an appointment?

Do you live in a more rural area, or maybe you prefer to just do things Virtually?

If so, I can help you through virtual therapy, or telehealth.

Telehealth allows me to provide counseling and therapy to my clients via live video conferencing. This can be done anywhere you have a computer or smartphone.

Telehealth appointments can be very beneficial if getting to a traditional in-person appointment is not convenient, or you simply just don’t want to.

My telehealth solution allows you to schedule an appointment directly online and have the entire therapy session take place digitally. While you don’t need a video camera, I do recommend you use one. To learn more and get started with virtual therapy, please contact me today.

Useful Links

Maternal Resources

Perinatal Mental Health Support & Resources

Helplines:

Call: 1-800-944-4773 (#1 for Spanish, #2 for English)
Text:English: 503-894-9453
Spanish: 971-420-0294

Support & Assessments:

PSI Coordinators & Peer Support Mentors – Find Support
PSI Virtual Support Groups – Join a Support Group
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) Assessments: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
PHQ (Depression)
MDQ (Mood Disorders)

Trained Perinatal Psychotherapists & Psychiatrists:

Other Helpful Perinatal Resources:

Miscarriage & Infant Loss Support:

Journals & Postpartum Men Resources:

Medication Safety in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:

Immediate Support:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
National Postpartum Depression Warmline: 1-800-PPD-MOMS

These resources are available to provide immediate help, guidance, and support for those navigating perinatal mood disorders, postpartum depression, miscarriage, and more. Reach out and find the support you need.

Comprehensive Mental Health Resources

The following links provide reliable mental health information to support well-being and awareness. These resources cover various aspects of mental health, disorders, recovery, and professional organizations. While this is not a comprehensive list, it serves as a starting point for exploring mental health education, support networks, and professional guidance. For a more holistic approach to wellness, consider checking additional links on physical health as well.

Associations & Institutes

Suicide Awareness & Hotlines

Depression & Bipolar Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Addiction & Recovery

Eating Disorders

American Dietetic Association

Personality Disorders

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Child Abuse & Domestic Violence

Diagnosis & Mental Health Criteria

DSM-V: Diagnoses and Criteria

Medication & Safety

These resources provide valuable insights, support, and professional guidance for individuals seeking mental health information, treatment options, and community support. Explore these links to better understand mental health and find the help you need.

Drug and Alcohol Resources

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

An international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem; it is nonprofessional, self-supporting, nondenominational, multiracial, apolitical, self-help group open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem
www.aa.org

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Agency that enforces the federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol and tobacco products. Under U.S. Department of the Treasury
www.atf.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The leading national public health institute of the United States. This federal agency’s main goal is to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury and disability
www.cdc.gov

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)

CSAP, under the auspices Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the US Department of Health and Human Services, provides national leadership in the development of policies, programs, and services to prevent the onset of illegal drug use, to prevent underage alcohol and tobacco use and to reduce the negative consequences of using substances.
www.samhsa.gov

Cocaine Anonymous

A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction; the primary purpose is to stay free from cocaine and all other mind-altering substances, and to help others achieve the same freedom.
www.ca.org

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America

Premier membership organization of over 5,000 anti-drug coalitions, each working to make their community safe, healthy and drug-free — one community at a time
www.cadca.org

DOT Regulation 49 CFR 49 Part 40

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) rule, 49 CFR Part 40, describes required procedures for conducting workplace drug and alcohol testing for the Federally regulated transportation industry.
www.transportation.gov/odapc/part40

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

www.faa.gov

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

www.fhwa.dot.gov

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

www.fra.dot.gov

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov

HIPAA

HIPAA is the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
www.hhs.gov

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

An international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts.
www.na.org

National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates, Inc. (NBCC)

The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates (NBCC) is a not-for-profit, independent certification organization. NBCC’s original and primary purposes are to establish and monitor a national certification system, to identify those counselors who have voluntarily sought and obtained certification, and to maintain a register of those counselors.
www.nbcc.org

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Federal agency, under the U.S. Department of Transportation, responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. Maintains statistics on DWI and DUI
www.nhtsa.dot.gov

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Part of the National Institutes of Health, supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems
www.niaaa.nih.gov

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Part of the National Institutes of Health, leads the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction
www.nida.nih.gov

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

An office of the White House that establishes policies, priorities, and objectives for the nation’s drug control programs through publication of the annual National Drug Control Strategy
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

First known as the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, then later as the Partnership at DrugFree.org, is a non-profit organization which runs campaigns to prevent teenage drug and alcohol abuse in the Unites States
www.drugfree.org

Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

www.phmsa.dot.gov

Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID)

Deters impaired driving and teen binge drinking; advocates for victims and tough laws; acts as watchdogs for law enforcement and adjudication in the courts; educates the public about the impact of abusive alcohol use
www.rid-usa.org

Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPAA)

The Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association mission is to establish, promote, and communicate the highest standards of quality, integrity, and professionalism in the administration of workplace substance abuse prevention programs through education, training and the exchange of ideas.
www.sapaa.com

The American Counseling Association (ACA)

The American Counseling Association is a member organization of professional counselors in the United States. It is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors.
www.counseling.org

United States Coast Guard (USCG)

homeport.uscg.mil

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and brings to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and recommends and supports non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets.
www.dea.gov

United State Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S.NRC)

www.nrc.gov