Let me preface the following, by stating I've been "in recovery" for many years.
She takes your MED CARD - which is in effect, your license. Also - you should have already downgraded your CDL as a result of the medical disqualification. Even a currently valid Med Card, is (legally) deemed INVALID, if you subsequent exam finds you medically disqualified.
While suboxone is not specifically prohibited by regs, it is still subjectively viewed as disqualifying by many medical examiners. Some will pass you - some won't.
Sadly - suboxone - which was always meant as a DETOX DRUG and not a MAINTENANCE DRUG (like methadone), is being used as such - and can also be ABUSED. Not saying YOU are doing so - but I know plenty of people WHO HAVE. Many people continue to take it and docs continue to prescribe it long-term as "relapse insurance". The problem is - it's as difficult getting off the maintenance (or more) than the original opiate. Many treatment admits the last few years, have been for long-term suboxone use. Tough to detox someone from a detox drug - and the relapse rate is (sadly) very high.
Will she tell me I haven't been off it long enough and that I'm still likely to relapse or can that be legally justified? Anyone who knows anything about this I would really appreciate your input. Sorry if I seem a bit sore about it.
"Risk of Relapse" - is not a justification for a DQ, but again - the medical examiner can DQ for many reasons that are "subjective", and not necessarily in the regulations.
It's GOOD that you got off the 'box - without getting into the reasons WHY you had to go on it in the first place, I hope your recovery is stable enough that you don't have to worry about relapse back into opiates.
Sadly - that is STILL UP TO the individual medical examiner. If you're looking to get THAT JOB BACK - and this person is still the Med Examiner for the company, make an appointment to have a SIT DOWN with them and discuss the issue. I would personally opine that 90 days off them, would be a better time-frame to try for a sit down than 60 - but that's just MY OPINION (and I am neither a Dr or a Med Examiner).
Sadly also- the rules are INCREDIBLY VAGUE - and leave much to the SUBJECTIVE DECISION OF THE INDIVIDUAL with very little actual guidance from DOT/FMCSA. Most "opinions" that I've found, seem to lean towards DQ'ing someone who is ON SUBOXONE - but very little data on RE-QUALIFYING someone who's GOTTEN OFF IT.
Not to get into the raging debate of whether it's safe to drive on it (I have an O/O buddy who's been on for 6 years, no accidents or incidents), but whether or not it creates a POTENTIAL LIABILITY if an accident occurs. If you're ON IT and the company is AWARE, and you get into an AT FAULT (or even a not a fault) - the fact that you are ON IT will be argued in any case and likely result in liability for the company.
There were also some suggestions I saw, that recommended the user go through the SAP Return To Work Protocol, and be monitored closely following return to work.
At any rate - I wish you luck and continued sobriety - and PLEASE DO LET US KNOW HOW THINGS TURN OUT FOR YOU. It would be helpful to others in the future...
Rick
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Operating While Intoxicated
Thanks for your reply. That cleared up alot for me. I'm on mobile so my reply is a bit limited in that aspect however I do have good news.
My company is sending me to another physician for a second opinion. They believe the physician I got is a bit too conservative with who she allows to drive. If the physician believes I am okay to drive I can return to work next week. Thank you again for your detailed response and honesty.
Hey there so I'm on the same predicament. I've been searching this Suboxone topic alot. Trying to get a job at a Mega Carrier and I've been prescribed Suboxone for a year now. Went to Trucking school got a DOT Medical certificate had to get a doctor's signature of approval for it and the one thing that worries me is that my prescription will show up on the drug test even though it's stated on my medical long form. Will Suboxone show up on a hair test and/or urine test? Can you be a truck driver while being prescribed Suboxone?
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Subs are a synthetic opioid and can show up. I've been in recovery for many years. The bigger picture is not weather they will show, it is to get off the subs. I'd recommend peer based recovery, being abstinent from all mind altering substances. The bigger picture is to be completely clean. Subs were designed for a maximum of a 6 day taper, not to be a substitute. The medical community doesn't understand the nature of the disease of addiction and the resultant over prescription of Subs is an epidemic.
Your best bet is to get completely clean and wait until 6 months. If you fail a pre employment or dot test, it's catastrophic to a career.
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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I've been driving a Class B for about 6 years now. No accidents personal or DOT. No speeding tickets or DUI.
I was on Suboxone for basically the whole time. My company changed doctors and I got a ignant.
I gave her published studies, my PCPs note of approval, my perfect record etc etc. So she takes my license and calls it risk of relapse. That's the best she could come up with bless her heart. Ive never relapsed in 6 years.
So I decided to do the exact opposite and quit that medication completely. Its been a little over 2 months since I dropped it completely and I'm doing great. Now I want my job back but it wondering if there are any standards that forbid a driver from holding a CDL that is not on any disqualifing medications but have been in the past?
Will she tell me I haven't been off it long enough and that I'm still likely to relapse or can that be legally justified? Anyone who knows anything about this I would really appreciate your input. Sorry if I seem a bit sore about it.
Should I just give up my CDL and find other work even though I'm completely healthy now with 0 risk?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
DUI:
Driving Under the Influence