The first step will be to consult the EBOLT policy and discuss the situation with your BA, supervisor, or HR person. You'll want to review Article VI. Screening Results and Article VII.  Violations and Return to Eligibility which details the process.

While the process outlined in the Policy and referenced in this article is the recommended procedure to be used for policy violations, your employer may elect to use the process outlined in their own separate company drug testing policy. If you have any questions, you should consult your BA, supervisor, or HR person.

I don't believe the test result is accurate and want a retest.

If you believe the test result is not accurate, you have the option of having the B-bottle sent to a separate laboratory for a confirmation test. When you were being tested, you may remember having two swabs (one on either side) in your mouth. You may also remember the collector placing these swabs in two separate vials, which you then initialed. When the laboratory receives these two vials, they perform the test from the "A" bottle, and the "B" bottle is stored, still sealed, for up to a year. At your request, the "B" bottle may be sent to any other certified laboratory which has the ability to perform the oral fluid confirmation test. One example of a laboratory that you could use is Quest Diagnostics. Note that this test will be performed at your expense. If the "B" bottle test does not confirm for the substance you were initially positive for, you will be reimbursed for the cost of this "B" bottle test as well as made whole for lost work. For more info, see Article VI. 3 (c). Back to top

I've decided not to perform the B-bottle retest, or the B-bottle retest confirmed the initial result. What do I have to do now?

You will need to consult a Substance Abuse Professional (also called a SAP). The Policy defines a SAP as follows:

Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) - A licensed or certified person who evaluates Participants who have violated an EBOLT drug and/or alcohol policy regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.  A Substance Abuse Professional must be credentialed in the State of Illinois by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Counselor Association to practice substance abuse counseling. The SAP must be knowledgeable and have clinical experience in the treatment of alcohol and substance abuse related disorders and must have knowledge about the SAP function as it relates to an EBOLT Participant’s return to eligibility.

For a list of SAPs you may wish to use, click here. Note that this list is not exhaustive, and you are welcome to use any other SAP of your choosing as long as they meet the requirements outlined above, which includes being credentialed by IAODAPCA. Back to top

The SAP has released me. What now?

Upon your completion of the SAP's requirements for education and/or counseling, they should present you with a letter (a release) stating that you have completed their course of treatment to their satisfaction. They may also request a certain number of follow-up drug screens. You will need to hand deliver this release to the Third-Party Administrator (currently Alliance Screening), and will need to perform a Return-to-Duty drug screen. If this test is negative, you will be allowed to return to work. Back to top

What are follow-up tests?

Follow-up tests are additional drug tests performed randomly at a frequency specified by the SAP or company policy. The SAP may have recommended a certain number of follow-up tests to be performed over the next year. Typically they may request 6 follow-up tests in a year's time, but they can recommend whatever they deem necessary. Note that your employer's own drug testing policy may specify a set number, and if this policy is being used for your particular situation your employer will need to follow the follow-up testing requirements set forth in that policy. Back to top