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Continuous Alcohol Monitoring Research

Transdermal SCRAM CAM-Specific Program Validation Field Evaluations Clinical & Behavioral

Experiences with SCRAM alcohol monitoring technology in 100 alcohol treatment outpatients

Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Brown University concluded that SCRAM CAM can benefit individuals in outpatient alcohol treatment programs. Four out of five study participants reported that SCRAM CAM helped them reduce their drinking, and 75% said they would wear it for longer than the 12-week study period.

By Sheila M. Alessia, Nancy P. Barnett, Nancy M. Petrya
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2017 

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Comparative Study and Evaluation of SCRAM Use, Recidivism Rates, and Characteristics

The impact of SCRAM CAM on the rate of repeat drinking and driving offenses (i.e., recidivism) was assessed for the first two years following arrest for 837 offenders in Wisconsin and 672 offenders in Nebraska. There was virtually no recidivism while on SCRAM CAM. For the offenders who recidivated, those assigned to SCRAM CAM recidivated later, meaning the device delayed recidivism.

By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

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Predictors of Detection of Alcohol Use Episodes Using a Transdermal Alcohol Sensor

The objective of this investigation was to establish the ability of SCRAM CAM to detect different levels of self-reported alcohol consumption and to determine whether gender and body mass index, alcohol dependence, bracelet version, and age of bracelet influenced detection of alcohol use. Researchers concluded SCRAM CAM is very good at detecting 5 or more drinks; the performance of the monitor below this level was better among women because of their higher transdermal alcohol concentration levels.

By Nancy P. Barnett – Brown University, E. B. Meade – University of Delaware, and Tiffany R. Glynn – Brown University

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Use of Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring During a Contingency Management Procedure to Reduce Excessive Alcohol Use

This study examined the effectiveness of using transdermal alcohol monitoring as a continuous measure of alcohol use to implement financial contingencies to reduce heavy drinking. Researchers concluded that transdermal alcohol monitoring can be used to implement contingency management programs to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.

By Donald M. Dougherty (a), Nathalie Hill-Kapturczak (a), Yuanyuan Liang (b), Tara E. Karns (a), Sharon E. Cates (a), Sarah L. Lake (a), Jillian Mullen (a), John D. Roache (a)

  • (a) Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
  • (b) Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA

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Quantitative Determination of Caffeine and Alcohol in Energy Drinks and the Potential to Produce Positive Transdermal Alcohol Concentrations in Human Subjects

The purpose of this study was to determine whether non-alcoholic energy drinks could result in positive “alcohol alerts” based on transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) using a commercially available electrochemical monitoring device.

By Jessica Ayala, Kelsie Simons, and Sarah Kerrigan – Forensic Science Program, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University

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Feasibility of Transdermal Ethanol Sensing for the Detection of Intoxicated Drivers

Using a validated model this study looked at the effects that body weight, metabolic rate, and ethanol dose has on the time lag between the blood alcohol concentration and transdermal alcohol concentration.

By Gregory D. Webster Hampton C. Gabler Virginia Polytechnic and State University Center for Injury Biomechanics Blacksburg, VA 

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Transdermal Alcohol Measurement: A Review of the Literature

The body of scientific literature on transdermal alcohol testing dates back almost 70 years. Based on published research in this field, one can conclude that measuring alcohol transdermally on a constant basis provides an effective screen for alcohol consumption and a reasonable approximation of the magnitude of that consumption.

By J.S. Hawthorne and M.H. Wojcik, SCRAM Systems

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The Determination of Blood Alcohol Concentration by Transdermal Measurement

The objective of this research was to compare the accuracy of readings using the SCRAM bracelet to alcohol concentrations measured by conventional breath analysis.

By J. Robert Zettl, BS, MPA, DABFE 

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Sweat Ethanol Concentrations are Highly Correlated with Co-existing Blood Values in Humans

This study compares the concentration of ethanol, both absolute and relative to water content, in sweat and blood.

By Michael J. Buono Department of Biology and the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University

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Experiences with SCRAM alcohol monitoring technology in 100 alcohol treatment outpatients

Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Brown University concluded that SCRAM CAM can benefit individuals in outpatient alcohol treatment programs. Four out of five study participants reported that SCRAM CAM helped them reduce their drinking, and 75% said they would wear it for longer than the 12-week study period.

By Sheila M. Alessia, Nancy P. Barnett, Nancy M. Petrya
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2017 

Download

Comparative Study and Evaluation of SCRAM Use, Recidivism Rates, and Characteristics

The impact of SCRAM CAM on the rate of repeat drinking and driving offenses (i.e., recidivism) was assessed for the first two years following arrest for 837 offenders in Wisconsin and 672 offenders in Nebraska. There was virtually no recidivism while on SCRAM CAM. For the offenders who recidivated, those assigned to SCRAM CAM recidivated later, meaning the device delayed recidivism.

By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Download

Field and Laboratory Alcohol Detection With 2 Types of Transdermal Devices

Two types of transdermal electrochemical sensors that detect alcohol at the skin surface were evaluated. One, the AMS SCRAM device, is locked onto the ankle and is based on a fuel cell sensor; the other, a Giner WrisTAS device, worn on the wrist, is based on a proton exchange membrane. SCRAM is used by several court systems in the United States to monitor alcohol offenders, WrisTAS, a research prototype, is not commercially available.

By Paul R. Marques and A. Scott McKnight

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Evaluating Transdermal Alcohol Measuring Devices

This report is an evaluation study of two types of transdermal devices that detect alcohol at the skin surface representing two types of electrochemical sensing technology: The AMS SCRAM ankle device and the Giner WrisTAS wrist device were worn concurrently for the evaluation by 22 paid research subjects (15 males, 7 females), for a combined total of 96 weeks.

By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

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Review of Technology to Prevent Alcohol-Impaired Crashes

This report summarizes the results of an evaluation of vehicular technology alternatives to detect driver blood alcohol concentration and alcohol-impaired driving. Taking an international perspective, this report references relevant literature, incorporates input from stakeholders, and includes a concept of operations to describe how to implement technology-based countermeasures that address concerns such as privacy, public acceptance, and legal issues.

By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

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Transdermal Alcohol Study at the Acadiana Crime Lab

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of SCRAM in a limited casual setting.

By Laurette Rapp and Rhonda Nichols, Louisiana Association of Forensic Scientists

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Validity of Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring: Fixed and Self-Regulated Dosing

This University of Colorado scientific study evaluates the validity of transdermal assessment of alcohol concentration measured by a lightweight, noninvasive device.

By Joseph T. Sakai, Susan K. Mikulich-Gilbertson, Robert J. Long, and Thomas J. Crowley

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Michigan DOC Runs BETA Test of New Remote Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring System

The Michigan DOC performed a field study of SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring prior to making it commercially available.

By The Journal of Offender Monitoring

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The Effect of Montana’s 24/7 Sobriety Program on DUI Re-arrest: Insights from a Natural Experiment with Limited Administrative Data

This analysis provides additional support for the claim that the 24/7 Sobriety Program is effective at deterring drinking among individuals with histories of alcohol-related crime. The data suggests that Montana’s 24/7 program reduced the probability of re-arrest for DUI 45-70%.

By Rand Corporation

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Assessment of the 24/7 Sobriety Program in North Dakota: Participant Behavior During Enrollment

The 24/7 Sobriety Program mandates that repeat impaired driving offenders remain sober as a condition of bond or pre-trial release. The goal is to monitor the most dangerous offenders in North Dakota and require that these individuals remain sober in order to keep roadways safe from hazardous drivers. Results show that drivers significantly improve traffic metrics after enrolling in the program.

By Andrew Kubas, Ph.D. Poyraz Kayabas, Ph.D., and Candidate Kimberly Vachal, Ph.D. – Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute North Dakota State University, Fargo

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Promising Criminal Justice Programs for DWI Offenders

This compendium provides a brief description of 25 promising programs from 21 states and one Federal Agency. SCRAM CAM is a technology used in two of the programs featured.

By Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (FAAR)

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The South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Project: A Summary Report

If ever there was a solid proof statement about this stellar program, this is it! This document provides an updated synopsis of the 24/7 Sobriety Project, the role of SCRAM CAM, results to date, and how it is reducing recidivism, lowering jail populations, and saving South Dakota citizens millions of dollars.

By Attorney General Larry Long – Attorney General of South Dakota, Stephen K. Talpins – Former Chief Executive Officer, National Partnership on Alcohol Misuse and Crime, and Robert L. DuPont, M.D. – President, Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc.

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Effectiveness of the SCRAM Alcohol Monitoring Device: A Preliminary Test

This article reports the results of a preliminary study of how a transdermal alcohol-detection bracelet device, the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) affects recidivism.

By Victor E. Flango, Ph.D., & Fred L. Cheesman, Ph.D.

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When Should Judges Use Alcohol Monitoring as a Sentencing Option in DWI Cases?

Published in Court Review (Vol. 44, 2009), this article summarizes the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) recidivism study, “Effectiveness of the SCRAM Alcohol Monitoring Device: A Preliminary Test.”

By Victor E. Flango and Fred Cheesman

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TIRF Practitioner’s Guide Executive Summary

This document is a four-page summary of the highlights presented in the full practitioner’s guide.

By Traffic Injury Research Foundation

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TIRF Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring: A Practitioner’s Guide

This document is the second in a three-part series. This report is designed to assist practitioners with incorporating continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring technologies into existing supervision practices.

By Traffic Injury Research Foundation

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Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring: Executive Summary

This document is a two-sided summary of the highlights presented in the primer.

By Traffic Injury Research Foundation

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Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring: A Primer for Criminal Justice Professionals

Written by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), this document provides an excellent overview of transdermal technology and SCRAM CAM.

By Traffic Injury Research Foundation

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Alternatives to More Prisons Promote Public Safety, Restorative Outcomes, and Fiscal Responsibility

By simply utilizing a bigger toolbox when it comes to nonviolent drug offenders, and selected nonviolent property and DUI offenders, Texas taxpayers can be spared a billion-dollar commitment to new prisons.

By Marc Levin, Esq. Director of the Center for Effective Justice 

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Strategies of Addressing the DWI Offender: 10 Promising Sentencing Practices

A compendium of promising sentencing practices proposed at the NHTSA National DWI Sentencing Summit at The National Judicial College.

By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

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A Guide for Reducing Alcohol Related Collisions

This guide discusses four objectives for reducing alcohol-related collisions: reduce excessive drinking and underage drinking; deter driving after drinking through effective DWI law enforcement; improve the system for prosecuting, imposing sanctions against, and treating DWI offenders; and control the most recalcitrant offenders.

By Transportation Research Board

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Michigan DOC Runs BETA Test of New Remote Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring System

The Michigan DOC performed a field study of SCRAM Continuous Alcohol Monitoring prior to making it commercially available.

By The Journal of Offender Monitoring

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Efficacy of Frequent Monitoring With Swift, Certain, and Modest Sanctions for Violations: Insights From South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Project

Examines the public health impact of South Dakota’s 24/7 Sobriety Project, an innovative program requiring individuals arrested for or convicted of alcohol-involved offenses to submit to breathalyzer tests twice per day or wear a continuous alcohol monitoring bracelet. Those testing positive are subject to swift, certain, and modest sanctions.

By Beau Kilmer, PhD, Nancy Nicosia, PhD, Paul Heaton, PhD, and Greg Midgette, MPP

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Field and Laboratory Alcohol Detection With 2 Types of Transdermal Devices

Two types of transdermal electrochemical sensors that detect alcohol at the skin surface were evaluated. One, the AMS SCRAM device, is locked onto the ankle and is based on a fuel cell sensor; the other, a Giner WrisTAS device, worn on the wrist, is based on a proton exchange membrane. SCRAM is used by several court systems in the United States to monitor alcohol offenders, WrisTAS, a research prototype, is not commercially available.

By Paul R. Marques and A. Scott McKnight

Download

Experiences with SCRAMx alcohol monitoring technology in 100 alcohol treatment outpatients

Researchers from the University of Connecticut and Brown University concluded that SCRAM CAM can benefit individuals in outpatient alcohol treatment programs. Four out of five study participants reported that SCRAM CAM helped them reduce their drinking, and 75% said they would wear it for longer than the 12-week study period.

By Sheila M. Alessia, Nancy P. Barnett, Nancy M. Petrya
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2017 

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An Experimental Trial Exploring the Impact of Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring Upon Alcohol Consumption in a Cohort of Male Students

Examines the impact of continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring upon alcohol consumption in male students at a Scottish university.

By Fergus G. Neville (a), Damien J. Williams (a), Christine A. Goodall, Jeffrey S. Murer, Peter D. Donnelly

  • (a) School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
  • (b) Department of Oral Surgery, University of Glasgow Dental School, Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • (c) School of International Relations, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom

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Predictors of Detection of Alcohol Use Episodes Using a Transdermal Alcohol Sensor

The objective of this investigation was to establish the ability of SCRAM CAM to detect different levels of self-reported alcohol consumption and to determine whether gender and body mass index, alcohol dependence, bracelet version, and age of bracelet influenced detection of alcohol use. Researchers concluded SCRAM CAM is very good at detecting 5 or more drinks; the performance of the monitor below this level was better among women because of their higher transdermal alcohol concentration levels.

By Nancy P. Barnett – Brown University, E. B. Meade – University of Delaware, and Tiffany R. Glynn – Brown University

Download

Use of Continuous Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring During a Contingency Management Procedure to Reduce Excessive Alcohol Use

This study examined the effectiveness of using transdermal alcohol monitoring as a continuous measure of alcohol use to implement financial contingencies to reduce heavy drinking. Researchers concluded that transdermal alcohol monitoring can be used to implement contingency management programs to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.

By Donald M. Dougherty (a), Nathalie Hill-Kapturczak (a), Yuanyuan Liang (b), Tara E. Karns (a), Sharon E. Cates (a), Sarah L. Lake (a), Jillian Mullen (a), John D. Roache (a)

  • (a) Psychiatry Department, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
  • (b) Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NRLC MC 7793, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA

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