SAP Assessments
Substance Abuse Professional Services
I provide SAP assessments and return to duty services for regulated (DOT) and non-regulated workers.
When an employee has a substance use safety issue (positive alcohol/drug test, self-report substance use problems, failure to test, etc.) the worker or employer enlists the services of a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). The SAP’s duties are to assess the substance use of that employees and make recommendations. The SAP does not provide education, counseling, or treatment services.
The focus of the SAP’s professional evaluation is strictly on whether there is an alcohol or drug dependency and the appropriate treatment and follow-up program for the worker.
The Return to Duty Process
The return-to-duty process can be confusing for workers and employers. Here are the six steps in the process:
- Complete an initial SAP assessment.
- Complete the SAP’s recommendations (your action plan).
- Complete your Follow-up Session.
- Return to Duty testing. If your follow-up test is negative at this point you will be eligible to return to safety-sensitive duty.
- Complete your follow-up test plan (monitored probationary status).
US DOT, COAA & NSC compliant services
Our services are fully compliant with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Canadian Model, and the National Standard of Canada (CSA Z1008:21).
Evidence-Based Services
Each assessment is evidence based – no predetermined outcomes. Each assessment uses the following screening tools along with a detailed clinical interview to determine an appropriate course of action for the worker:
- Alcohol screening questionnaire (AUDIT)
- Cannabis Use Problems Identification Test (CUPIT)
- Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT-R)
- Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20)
- Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist
- Mental Health Screening Form (MHSF-III)
- Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST)
- Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS)
- Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)
- Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory 4 (SASSI-4)
- The Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES)