Overview

Monitoring is typically an employer directed program for individuals with a substance use disorder who are often in safety critical and safety sensitive positions, as well as in positions of public trust. Monitoring is also helpful for supporting individuals who are in treatment, or who are under claim with insurers. 

Monitoring is frequently endorsed through medical recommendations and although not necessary, participants will have often undergone an Independent Medical Evaluation resulting in a confirmed diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder. 

The premise of monitoring is to provide the client (employer, union, insurer, treatment facility, etc.) third-party objective assurance that an individual is remaining abstinent and complying with their recovery program. In the case of employment, monitoring helps to objectively ensure the ongoing safety of the workplace. 

On the continuum of addiction and recovery, participants will typically have successfully completed primary treatment, be in stable abstinent remission, and considered fit to return to work. Monitoring typically overlaps the transition back to work, and for a period of time provides an employer the assurance they may require to comply with their health and safety program and protocols.

Monitoring is suitable for individuals who may also have co-occurring or complex diagnoses and can be customized to include psychiatric requirements.

The terms of a comprehensive monitoring program may include regular sessions with a monitor, engagement in the recovery community, counselling or therapeutic requirements, adherence to medications, and biological testing. There may be fewer, or more requirements, and each monitoring agreement is customized based on medical recommendations and client input.

The tenets of a professional monitoring program requires that a monitor have boundaries, be objective and engage in practices that are ethical and legally defensible. Alliance Medical Monitoring Inc. provides such a program and represents these tenets through a comprehensive program directed toward empowering a participant in being accountable for and sustaining their recovery, while providing assurance to our clients that their employee or claimant is remaining abstinent and mitigating risk to the workplace as a result.

Biological Testing Protocol