looking for answers to a shunned topic in trucking

There's pretty strict laws against taking punitive action against employees with substance abuse problems.

 

First off, if a person who thinks they have a drinking problem wants help, they are already ahead of the game. Their CDL would not in any way be in jeopardy if they don't get a DUI or some other infraction. Maybe the job at the time you asked for time off would be over. As long as they really where totally sober ever single time they where at work, it shouldn't be any bigger issue getting that issue sorted out than any other reason you'd need time off. I'd say, if it really didn't affect their work, and they think their company wouldn't understand, they should just do their chosen treatment program after they quit that bad job, and go to work at the better job. If you apply for a job, most of them ask when you want to start. Just tell them a date after the program is over. No need to elaborate if they don't ask. Just say you need some personal time between jobs and then youll be ready to start.

 

One of my best friends just passed away very recently. After picking him up from hospitals, finding him passed out in the driver's seat, or not being able to find him at all, we (my friends and I) all knew he had a serious drinking problem.
He promised us he would go to rehab and died one week before the date he swore he'd check himself in.
Initial thoughts were that he drank himself to death, only about a week ago did we find out that he tried to quit cold-turkey and it was the withdrawals that killed him.
His 23rd birthday would've been last week, hard to believe it could be so serious so young right?

Anyway, whether or not you have the willpower to quit on your own. Go get help. I used to be one to say, "just put the bottle down, don't be an idiot"
It just doesn't work that way. Sometimes you really do need to get help.

That's not a sob story of any sort, but hopefully it'll help someone who reads it understand that getting professional help could save a life. I honestly didn't know any better either and it's a ####ty lesson to learn like this.

 

STOP!! Be careful with that route! A friend/coworker used that route. The day after calling this third party provider he was sent home until he could prove he was fit for duty. Took three weeks and no pay. This is first hand knowledge, not hearsay.

TA

 

What would you do if you employed someone that had that kind of problem?
Just let them continue driving, knowing that an accident may be just around the corner?

And if you were that person that had the problem and reported themself, would you really expect to continue driving until you got the problem under control?

Get real.

You yourself just said that the person was sent home UNTIL he was fit for duty.
Just how is that unfair or unjust?
And of course it would be some time without pay. Duh!

The other option would probably might be that he injured or killed someone and would spend the rest of his life paying for it, assuming he survived in the first place.

 

Are you a democrat, per chance? Let me get a crayon out for you.

My reply was strictly about sponsored help lines that are supposed to be confidential and CLEARLY pointing out they are anything but.

Its completely irrelevant but I'll humor you. His problem was marital. Do you know what that word means? He had a relationship issue and got flagged as suicidal when he wasn't at all. Had to see a psychiatrist for an evaluation to prove he was fine.

Take a hike, clown.
TA

 

So let me get you out the finger paint.

If you want to change the subject from drinking to marital problems, fine.
Just inform us of what you are talking about. You didn't.

And if this person was flagged as suicidal for some reason, then he should not be driving a rig.

Look in the mirror, clown.

 

If your friend gets into a rehab program prior to getting into trouble or failing a screening test. He is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If his employer acts in any way against him for seeking treatment at that point. He would be able to recover damages in court.

From the ADA website:

"Individuals who abuse alcohol may be considered disabled under the ADA if the person is an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic. Courts have usually held that alcoholism is a covered disability. For example, in Williamsv.Widnall, the court flatly stated, without discussion, that alcoholism “is a covered disability.”



"The duty to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities is considered one of the most important statutory requirements of the ADA.[ Reasonable accommodation for an alcoholic would generally involve a modified work schedule] so the employee could attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, or a leave of absence so the employee could seek treatment. In Schmidtv.Safeway, Inc., for example, the court held that the employer must provide a leave of absence so the employee could obtain medical treatment for alcoholism.]"

Just remember the key point is that he has to seek out and initiate the help before he's protected.

 

No help OP...
This person needs to cowboy up all on his own, fix himself
All help does is drug you up with donuts and coffee and talk about the stuff your trying to kick or control....

I had to quit a bunch of stuff because the 'm' word (moderation) does not compute properly in my brain...so it was all or nothing...kinda sad, but the fix I needed

Now Im hooked on food and soda pop now....I keep cases of large extra chewy sweet tarts, and them cracked pepper slim jims...I can eat Loves pizza endlessly...

So...again, no help, no hope...fix yourself, dont be a wussy, pick your deathbound obsessions carefully