Doctor Took My CDL. Trying To Get It Back.

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?

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

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.