SAP Substance Abuse Professional

A Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol regulation as part of an (EAP) Employee Assistance Program. The SAP is an advocate for neither the employer nor the employee. Their function is to make recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare in the event that an employee returns to a safety-sensitive job and to protect the public safety. DOT regulations require that SAPs complete training and pass a nationally recognized examination.

DOT also requires a Substance Abuse Professional to be one of the following:

1. A licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy)
2. A licensed or certified social worker
3. A licensed or certified psychologist
4. A licensed or certified employee assistance professional
5. A state-licensed or certified marriage and family therapist
6. An alcohol and drug abuse counselor

A workplace EAP (Employee Assistance Program) provides confidential assessment of employees and may offer short term counseling on marriage and family problems, stress related problems, financial and legal difficulties, and psychological and workplace conflict.

The EAP-SAP website provides a directory of services, programs and educational resources on illegal drug use issues.