RPP is committed to the protection of the public's safety through the early identification of impaired health professionals who are in need of assistance and the return to safe practice through appropriate referral and effective monitoring, rehabilitation and recovery.

RPP is a confidential referral and monitoring program designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and podiatrists in South Carolina who are suffering from problems related to substance abuse/dependence, or from a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental illness. The program offers an effective way to ensure that impaired professionals receive the help they need as quickly as possible.

The ultimate goal of the program is to help the professional return to safe practice -- a decision that benefits the individual, the profession and society at large -- by ensuring that the professional complies with an established treatment protocol and appropriate continuing care.

An alternative to the board disciplinary process, operating independently from both boards and associations, RPP provides accountable, consistent and confidential monitoring for both voluntary and board-referred participants to ensure the safe practice of health professionals in South Carolina.

Our primary concern at RPP is to assist the health professional to return to safe practice. The program recognizes that substance abuse/dependence, as well as dual diagnoses of substance abuse/dependence and mental illness, are treatable diseases.

RPP promotes the fact that appropriate and effective treatment is essential to save a health professional's life. RPP also works to provide an opportunity to save the professional's license and career.

RPP offers a broad range of services for the health professional. These include:

• early identification of health professionals who are in need of assistance;
• initial screening;
• intervention;
• referral to an approved network of treatment providers;
• follow-up with providers to ensure quality of care for all participants;
• referral to peer assistance and support systems;
• follow-up with peer assistance and support systems to ensure quality of care for all participants; and
• five-year monitoring, including continuing care, peer assistance and urine drug screens.

Participants can expect the following from RPP:

• to be treated with respect and dignity;
• to be supported during treatment;
• to be assisted throughout the recovery process;
• to be encouraged to return to safe practice; and
• to be supported throughout their continued practice.

RPP accepts referrals from licensees of the South Carolina Boards of Medical Examiners, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Podiatry Examiners , Veterinary Examiners, Chiropratic Examiners, Social Work Examiners, Examiners in Psychology, Examiners in Optometry, Examiners in Occupational Therapy, Examiners in Physical Therapy, Examiners for the Licensure of Professional counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psycho-Educational Specalists and Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology who meet eligibility criteria. Health professionals may refer themselves to the program or be referred by the boards, friends, family members, colleagues, employers or peer-assistance representatives.

The staff of RPP is available to provide assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you or someone you know is experiencing a problem with substance abuse or a dual diagnosis, please contact RPP for confidential information on how to get help. Call us anytime at 1-877-349-2094.