Understanding How SCRAM Continuous Monitoring Provides Real-Time Alcohol Detection

Published 02/12/2024

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SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring: Revolutionising Real-Time Alcohol Detection

Alcohol testing is a critical tool used to monitor individuals in various settings, from child care proceedings at family courts, self awareness and rehabilitation programs. Traditional methods like blood, urine, and hair alcohol testing play specific roles in detecting historic alcohol use. For example, hair alcohol testing is more suitable for identifying historical patterns of alcohol use for the previous months, while urine tests are effective for detecting recent consumption within a shorter detection window. However, neither method is suitable when it comes to providing real-time, ongoing data. This is where SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) stands out, offering a groundbreaking solution that provides continuous, real-time alcohol detection for individuals under monitoring.

In settings such as parole, childcare or child custody, SCRAM fills a critical gap, offering consistent and accurate alcohol consumption data that traditional types of alcohol tests cannot provide.

How Does SCRAM Work? A "Breathalyser for Your Leg"

The SCRAM alcohol monitor works by measuring the amount of the transdermal ethanol, the primary component of alcohol, excreted through the skin. When someone drinks, ethanol is absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually 1% of the total alcohol is excreted through the skin. SCRAM CAM detects this ethanol in real-time.

The device is fitted to the subject’s ankle and takes measurements every 30 minutes, providing consistent, round-the-clock monitoring. The collected data is sent to a monitoring agency, where it can be analyzed to determine if alcohol consumption has occurred.

Since SCRAM works continuously, it provides detailed data that captures the duration and timeline of a drinking event. For instance, if someone consumes alcohol in the evening, the SCRAM alcohol monitor tracks the ethanol elimination process, showing when alcohol consumption began, peaked, and was fully metabolized. Unlike traditional methods—like hair alcohol testing or PEth blood testing, which provide three month and one month of alcohol use history, respectively, or urine tests, which cover shorter detection windows—SCRAM offers a broader view of drinking behavior in real time.

Real-Time Alcohol Detection: Why It Matters

The ability to monitor alcohol consumption in real time is a game-changer in various fields, especially in legal, clinical, and rehabilitation settings. For example:

Family Courts and Legal Settings: The alcohol ankle monitor provides courts with detailed evidence of alcohol consumption, helping them make informed decisions in alcohol testing for court cases. The real-time data ensures compliance with court orders and provides reliable evidence of abstinence or ongoing consumption. The SCRAM bracelet in family law and child care cases provides continuous alcohol monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of the families. For example, “Did a person consume alcohol while caring for a child?”

Demonstrates Parental Compliance: Offers evidence of alcohol abstinence, helping parents demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a safe and stable environment for their children
Provides Reliable Data: Tracks alcohol consumption 24/7, real-time data that is court-admissible
Supports Safeguarding Decisions: Assists social workers and courts in making informed decisions regarding custody and parental fitness
Deterrent Against Alcohol Misuse: Encourages parents to stay sober
Reduces Risk of Relapse: Acts as a safeguard by quickly detecting any alcohol consumption, allowing for timely intervention to protect the child

Rehabilitation Programs: Continuous monitoring is invaluable for rehab centers and treatment programs, offering a consistent method to track progress and ensure participants adhere to sobriety agreements. For example, “Has a person been able to maintain sobriety?”
Parole and Probation: SCRAM is used by parole and probation officers to monitor individuals under supervision, ensuring that those required to abstain from alcohol are doing so consistently over time. For example, “Has a person conformed with the conditions of their parole?”

Unlike other methods that may only reveal alcohol use after it has occurred (e.g., hair alcohol testing or urine tests), SCRAM continuous monitoring makes it nearly impossible for an individual to circumvent or alter the results. This level of transparency is essential for ensuring accountability and compliance.

Key Features of SCRAM Continuous Monitoring

24/7 Monitoring: The SCRAM alcohol monitor tracks alcohol consumption every 30 minutes, offering near-constant updates on alcohol consumption patterns.
Accurate Data: SCRAM measures the approximate levels of ethanol as it is excreted, providing a highly accurate picture of alcohol use.
Tamper Detection: Sensors detect any attempts to tamper with or remove the alcohol ankle monitor, ensuring the data remains reliable.
Detailed Reporting: The SCRAM device generates comprehensive reports that can be used in legal proceedings or treatment evaluations.
Discreet Operation: While the alcohol ankle monitor may vibrate during data collection, it does not beep or make disruptive sounds, ensuring discretion.

Watch the Webinar to Learn More!

If you missed our recent webinar on SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring and would like to learn more about how this revolutionary technology works, click here to rewatch the full webinar. In the webinar, we discuss SCRAM real-time monitoring capabilities, its advantages over traditional alcohol testing for court, and how it can be used in various settings such as legal cases, rehabilitation, and parole monitoring. Don’t miss out on this valuable information!

For more information on SCRAM CAM, or to find out how it can help in your legal, clinical, or rehabilitation needs, contact us today. We’re here to provide you with the solutions you need for accurate, real-time alcohol monitoring.

Watch SCRAM Webinar