Addictive Prescription Medications and Their Impact on Michigan Drivers License Restoration

Michigan drivers with two or more substance-abuse-related driving convictions will have their licenses revoked. To get a license reinstated, you must go through the Michigan driver license restoration process.

The process of drivers license restoration Michigan involves submitting evidence, such as letters of support, AA documentation, treatment records and obtaining a substance evaluation by a professional who is qualified to treat substance abuse and addiction. Your documentation will be submitted to the Michigan Secretary of State, and a hearing or review will take place in front of a hearing officer. The hearing officer will decide whether you win or lose your case. To win your Michigan drivers license appeal, you must prove to the hearing officer that your substance abuse issues are under control and will remain that way in the future.

While alcohol abuse is an obvious problem that you must prove that you have conquered, certain medications can be of particular concern to a hearing officer. Medications that are addictive or potentially addictive, like painkillers and tranquilizers, are of particular concern. We are not talking about nonaddictive medications frequently taken, such as thyroid or high blood pressure medications.

Why is this of such concern? Remember, you are trying to prove that your substance abuse problem is under control and will likely stay that way into the future. If you are using a potentially addictive medication, the hearing officer will be concerned that you will become addicted to this medication and dependent upon it. Since you previously had (or have) a problem with alcohol dependency, in a sense, you are in danger of simply having switched your addiction from alcohol to medication, with the same potentially devastating consequences. Further, the hearing officer may fear that your use of the potentially addictive medication will trigger a relapse of your alcohol addiction.

As part of the evidence you will have to submit to the Secretary of State for your Michigan drivers license restoration case, you will need a 10 panel drug screen along with two integrity variables. If you are taking any type of medication, you should consult with your drivers license lawyer before getting your 10 panel drug screen. In fact, you should let your lawyer know about any medications that you are using when you first meet with him or her. Depending upon the situation, there may be a way to effectively handle your use of medications. Each case is different, and your lawyer should be able to advise you on this topic.

Michigan license restoration cases must be prepared properly. Advise your attorney of the use of any medications. Remember, you must prove that all substance issues are under control and will likely remain that way.