Standard alcohol-monitoring tags are used to detect alcohol and provide an accurate record of someone’s alcohol consumption. But can alcohol tags detect other drugs?
They don’t work as a wider drug screener, but those individuals fitted with an alcohol tag may be subject to separate drug testing.
This guide looks at how these tags function, their limitations and where you can access support for substance use – whether you’re concerned about your own wellbeing or someone you care about.
What Is an Alcohol Tag?
An alcohol tag, often referred to as an alcohol ankle tag or alcohol monitoring tag is a tamper-resistant electronic device that’s fitted around someone’s ankle and monitors a person’s alcohol intake. In England and Wales, they are often used as part of the criminal justice system to enforce alcohol abstinence or for monitoring requirements imposed by courts or probation services.
It’s different from other forms of electronic monitoring including:
- Curfew tags which monitor whether an individual is at a specified address at a set time
- Location tags which track a person’s physical location and movements
How Do Alcohol Tags Work?
Alcohol tags rely on non-invasive tech called transdermal alcohol monitoring. When you have a drink, your body breaks down most of the alcohol in your liver, but a tiny bit of it leaks out through your skin.
These tags sample your skin sweat every 30 minutes or so throughout the day. The sensor then picks up on the alcohol that’s being released through your skin and sends the data straight to a central system.
This kind of monitoring can be useful for checking whether someone’s actually keeping to their court-imposed sobriety targets; it doesn’t actually give you a real-time blood alcohol level reading.
Can Alcohol Tags Detect Other Drugs?
Standard alcohol monitoring tags, including SCRAM alcohol monitoring devices, can’t detect cannabis, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines or other non-alcohol substances. This is because the sensor on the device is designed to specifically react with ethanol molecules. It simply doesn’t contain the chemical requirements to identify other controlled substances.
It’s important to remember, however, that an alcohol-only tag doesn’t mean that someone is permitted to use other drugs. And the absence of alcohol when using an alcohol tag doesn’t prove complete sobriety from other substances.
How Are Alcohol Tags and Drug Testing Different?
Testing for substances other than alcohol requires completely different methods. While alcohol tags continuously monitor sweat vapour at the ankle, drug testing usually relies on samples collected at specific intervals, which are then analysed using targeted chemical panels. For example:
- Urine screening tests for recent drug use and specific metabolites
- Oral fluid or saliva testing detects very recent drug ingestion
- Detailed hair or blood testing can be used to establish historical substance use patterns.
While sweat patches can be used to detect certain drugs, they work in a different way than an alcohol ankle tag. Ultimately, what the court or probation service tests for will depend on which testing system they choose.
Medicines, Products and Questions about Readings
If you or someone you care about is having an alcohol tag fitted, you may be concerned about false readings. After all, many everyday items including hand sanitisers, perfumes, cleaning products and even prescribed medications can contain traces of alcohol.
This is why standard monitoring devices and protocols are designed to differentiate between environmental alcohol exposure (contact on the outside of the device) and ingested alcohol which is then excreted through the skin.
For best practice, you should:
- Always follow the official user guidance supplied with your electronic device tag
- Never stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your GP
- Contact your monitoring provider or probation officer with any questions
Tampering with, blocking or trying to alter the monitoring device can trigger an alert and may be treated as a breach of your supervision conditions.
What Should You Do If You’re Unsure About Your Conditions?
If you’re unsure what your court order or license conditions mean, review your paperwork and contact your probation officer. The legal consequences of non-compliance can vary, which is why it’s important to follow all rules.
As well as sticking to the rules around your alcohol tag, getting involved in some kind of addiction rehab or community support can be very beneficial.
Alcohol Monitoring and Getting Treatment Support
While an alcohol tag may be a useful tool for some people, providing a sort of framework of accountability, it’s not necessarily going to get at the underlying physical or psychological issues that are often driving people to drink and use substances in the first place.
If an addiction is present, an alcohol tag also doesn’t alleviate cravings, deal with past traumas or tackle the awful physical withdrawal symptoms that can come with it.
If you’re physically dependent on alcohol, trying to just stop or reduce your intake overnight can be dangerous. Safe and effective recovery requires professional help.
You could try the NHS and community services, or if you need a bit more support away from the day-to-day triggers in your life, you should try contacting Rehab Clinics Group for private residential care. Our clinics offer programmes that combine supervised detox with therapies that treat both alcohol and any other drugs you might be using.
One thing to remember is that recovery is an individual journey. Treatment plans must be tailored to your unique clinical needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach and that’s exactly what you can expect when you get in touch with us.
Get In Touch With Rehab Clinics Group
If you’re struggling with alcohol or drug use and want to explore your options for recovery, remember support is available. At Rehab Clinics Group, our friendly team is always here to discuss the admissions process, confidential treatment plans, arrange medically managed detox, and explore residential rehab options. Call us on 0800 470 0382.
