How Are SAP Evaluations Beneficial?

There are many reasons why you might be required to get a substance abuse evaluation. Other than fulfilling requirements for work or because of failed Department of Transportation tests, getting an evaluation from a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) could provide benefits beyond program compliance. Here are some essential facts about SAP evaluations that you should know.

What an SAP Evaluation Is and How it Works

The first step of having an evaluation with a Substance Abuse Professional is to find one and schedule it. This step can be challenging for people who are reluctant because they believe their substance use will be subject to judgment, invasion of privacy, or anxiety. Also, people might have difficulty accepting that their drug use is a real problem.

If you know what to expect at an SAP evaluation, it could alleviate some of the fears. The first step of the evaluation is questions about drug and alcohol use. Next, they will ask about external factors that could be causing stress in your life, such as anxiety at home and work. After that, they will want some historical information about arrests related to drugs and alcohol, current employment, and treatment goals.

The evaluation is bound by strict confidentiality guidelines, so it’s best to be honest and forthcoming about all questions. After gathering all of the information that you provide, the evaluator’s goal is to determine the severity of your substance abuse and develop the most effective course of recovery. By giving honest and thorough answers, you can enable the evaluator to design the most effective roadmap for you to recover and restore your life.

Benefits of SAP Evaluations

The most important reason for having an SAP evaluation is so that you can return to work. Without passing this hurdle, it will be problematic to regain your livelihood and financial security. These requirements are common in fields where safety is crucial, such as transportation and jobs where you have other people’s well-being in your hands. When you complete the evaluation and the treatment, you will receive a release to duty letter.

Undergoing successful treatment has other benefits besides restoring your employment. Substance abuse professionals are also part of an ongoing support system. Follow-up evaluations and continued treatments are usually part of recovery. This support system can help keep you on the right path and ensure your continued employment. Avoiding relapse is just as important as recovery.

When you go through a treatment and recovery program, it will restore and improve relationships that were suffering due to drug and alcohol abuse. Recovery also helps you to gain more self-esteem. Combating substance abuse usually brings progress in dealing with underlying psychological issues that brought on the problem, which improves your mental health. Recovery isn’t just about kicking a habit, it can transform your life.

If you’re required to go through evaluation and treatment to return to your job, it’s best to see the positive effect that it will have. Losing a job is a big setback, but the SAP evaluation and treatment can be the turning point that provides the transformation that you need to have a better life that is free of substance abuse.