What to Do After Failing a DOT Drug Test: Tips for Moving Forward

Life After Failed DOT Drug Test (Tips & Tricks to Move Forward)

The Department of Transportation is one of the most regularly tested institutions in the United States due to the heavy responsibility of the position. Unlike many other jobs, DOT requires all employees to comply with regular and random drug testing. If you have found yourself on the wrong end of a positive test result, you might wonder what to do next.

The good news is that DOT does not permanently exclude drivers based on a positive drug test. The downside is that for you to get back to work, you are going to have to go through a reasonably in-depth substance abuse treatment program.

To learn how to move on from the embarrassment and disappointment of a positive drug test, follow the tips laid out in the following paragraphs. This short guide will teach you how to get back on your feet after you fail a DOT drug test.

How To Return to Work

You might wonder what to do if you have recently been surprised with a random or unexpected drug test. It can be easy to feel like you have ruined your life in the immediate aftermath, though this is far from true. The Department of Transportation has been around for a long time and has found genuine resources to help benefit its employees.

The first step is to decide whether or not you want to continue working within the confines of the Department of Transportation. If you have been considering a move into other career paths, this may be the time to leap. If you enjoy your current position, however, you must schedule a meeting with a substance abuse professional or SAP.

Keep in mind that regardless of your decision, the positive drug test result will not go on your public record without your express consent. If you are concerned about what is on your criminal record, a free people finder tool can help you better understand what employers are seeing on background checks.

The meeting with a substance abuse professional will help establish the severity of your substance abuse and what type of treatment you may need. They will then offer a program you must accept, or you will never be allowed to work in a driving position again. Once you complete the program you are given, you will need to provide a negative result on a return-to-duty test.

It is important to really understand the process of returning to work. You will need to go to a treatment facility, take another test (and pass), and then apply to a much smaller pool of employers who accept SAP drivers. It is entirely possible to move past a failed drug test, but it is a lot of hard work and uncomfortable conversations.

It can be helpful to look for companies that explicitly approve of SAP program graduates, as many are reluctant to hire those with previous drug histories. Be patient, do a bit of research, and see what your best options are moving forward. Many people who have previously failed drug tests through DOT have gone on to have brilliant careers.

How To Move Forward After Failing A Drug Test

There is no easy way to swallow a financial loss, particularly when it comes out of nowhere. Losing a job because of a failed drug test can make you feel a lot of negative emotions, which can lead to a downward spiral of poor decisions. Instead, focus on your options for improving from the momentary lapse.

Reach out to a substance abuse professional and be open and honest about what caused you to have to speak with him. Go through the treatment program in earnest, even if you feel that you are nowhere close to needing rehabilitation. When you are finished, search for companies hiring those who have gone through the SAP program.

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Failing a DOT drug test isn’t the end of your journey—it’s a call for change and growth. By following the steps outlined here, including connecting with a Substance Abuse Professional, completing your program, and researching SAP-friendly employers, you’ll find a way forward.

It’s essential to embrace the process with patience and determination. The road might be challenging, but countless others have walked it and come out stronger, with successful careers and renewed focus. Remember, setbacks are just setups for comebacks.

Stay determined, take it one step at a time, and keep your goals in sight. For more practical tips, life advice, and career insights, stay tuned to Woke Waves Magazine.