Continuous objective monitoring of alcohol use: twenty-first century measurement using transdermal sensors

Abstract

Transdermal alcohol sensors continuously collect reliable and valid data on alcohol consumption in vivo over the course of hours to weeks. Transdermal alcohol readings are highly correlated with breath alcohol measurements, but transdermal alcohol levels lag behind breath alcohol levels by one or more hours owing to the longer time required for alcohol to be expelled through perspiration. By providing objective information about alcohol consumption, transdermal alcohol sensors can validate self-report and provide important information not previously available. In this article, we describe the development and evaluation of currently available transdermal alcohol sensors, present the strengths and limitations of the technology, and give examples of recent research using the sensors.

Copyright © 2012 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

Figures

Figure 1

SCRAM bracelet device.

Figure 2

WrisTAS device.

Figure 3

Example of output from SCRAMNet of recorded data. The black line indicates Transdermal Alcohol Concentration (TAC) readings and demonstrate a typical alcohol consumption curve. The red line indicates skin temperature and the blue line indicates Infrared (IR) voltage, a measure of contact of the device with the skin. The temperature and IR readings provide indications about whether tampering has occurred.