Do I Have To Disclose Depression And Anxiety?-It Doesn't Affect My Driving
Topic 11618 | Page 1
I am in college now and want to pursue a career in trucking when I get a degree( My dream is driving across America). I am 38 with no kids and want to drive O.T.R across the country. I am doing research with company sponsored trucking schools. My question is I have quit drinking for about 6 months now and take an anti depressant--Zoloft which does not impair my driving. I don't want to get discriminated or not accepted in a school when I am trying to change my life by staying off the booze because of my diagnosis. I never have had and major psychological issues like suicidal thoughts or schizophrenia. I just got the Zoloft to help me out while being newly sober. I know DOT physical will ask about my mental health. I have seen some drivers online say don't tell them and don't tell the trucking school since my medical mental history is protected by Hippa. Can a trucker out there give me the low down on what you think i should do. Thnx.....Nick
First of all Nick, "my hat is off to you" for getting SOBER! I just achieved my 14 year anniversary in July, and what one heck of ride it has been. Since I don't think there are any DOT Certified Medical Examiners in this forum, your best bet would be to locate a DOT Certified Medical examiner, link below and ask.
DOT National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
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
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
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?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
While SSRI's are not "prohibited medications" in the strict send of FMCSA Regs (as Schedule I drugs are), you will have to declare them on your DOT Medical Long Form - and it's up to the medical examiner whether to approve you.
Usually a letter from the prescribing physician is recommended, and in some cases - like in psych meds - they are going to want it to be a psych doc.
As far as HIPPA and requirements to disclose - you are required to disclose to the medical examiner - and HIPPA would (possibly) cover whether or not THEY could disclose to a potential employer. Though usually employers in "safety sensitive positions", will require a authorization to be executed so your long form can be made part of your employment file.
This might give you some more info: http://urgentcarementor.com/motor-carrier-questioning-ptsd-meds/
It's the double-edged sword here. If you don't disclose, get into an accident and pop a drug screen (which typically doesn't check for SSRI's), you could have an issue.
Most of america is on some sort of meds lately (or so it would seem) and the ones that aren't, act like they could really use them.
Congrats on your 6 months. I celebrate 15 years on 12/7, and have over 25 from the "real real baaaad stuff".
And while I am not a doctor (or your sponsor), it might be easier to get off the meds and not have to worry about them possibly messing with your ability to drive a CMV. This is something you need to discuss with your doctor. Having been around the recovery (and treatment) community for some time now - I have some very strong opinions of the over-prescribing and long-term (versus short term) use of psychotropics/SSRI's in newly recovering alcoholics/addicts.
Rick
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
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
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
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?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
I am in college now and want to pursue a career in trucking when I get a degree( My dream is driving across America). I am 38 with no kids and want to drive O.T.R across the country. I am doing research with company sponsored trucking schools. My question is I have quit drinking for about 6 months now and take an anti depressant--Zoloft which does not impair my driving. I don't want to get discriminated or not accepted in a school when I am trying to change my life by staying off the booze because of my diagnosis. I never have had and major psychological issues like suicidal thoughts or schizophrenia. I just got the Zoloft to help me out while being newly sober. I know DOT physical will ask about my mental health. I have seen some drivers online say don't tell them and don't tell the trucking school since my medical mental history is protected by Hippa. Can a trucker out there give me the low down on what you think i should do. Thnx.....Nick
Hello Nick- I have been taking zoloft since 1984 when my husband's death through me into depression. Zoloft is one of the meds that are prescribed for different ailments so taking it doesn't automatically say 'mental issues'. You will be required to list all medications for the DOT exam. I was told it would be a good idea to get a note from my doctor, which I did, but no one ever asked to see it - I keep the note just in case. You should be fine but to save time, I would get the note. Also, I don't believe HIPPA applies to DOT but I could be mistaken about this.
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.
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I am in college now and want to pursue a career in trucking when I get a degree( My dream is driving across America). I am 38 with no kids and want to drive O.T.R across the country. I am doing research with company sponsored trucking schools. My question is I have quit drinking for about 6 months now and take an anti depressant--Zoloft which does not impair my driving. I don't want to get discriminated or not accepted in a school when I am trying to change my life by staying off the booze because of my diagnosis. I never have had and major psychological issues like suicidal thoughts or schizophrenia. I just got the Zoloft to help me out while being newly sober. I know DOT physical will ask about my mental health. I have seen some drivers online say don't tell them and don't tell the trucking school since my medical mental history is protected by Hippa. Can a trucker out there give me the low down on what you think i should do. Thnx.....Nick
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.