When an individual receives the initial diagnosis of cancer, they continue seeing their doctor for visits even after treatment has been completed. The chronic disease of alcohol addiction should be treated in a similar fashion. The disease of alcoholism encompasses all the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse. It also includes a physical dependence on alcohol. Over time the body and the brain adjust to the steady intake of alcohol, so it is not uncommon for those with an addiction to need alcohol to function on a daily basis.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
To overcome an addiction, the choice to enter treatment is only the beginning. The real work starts after completing treatment. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 90 percent relapse within four years of completing treatment.[1]
Traditional Sobriety Monitoring
The completion of addiction treatment is a major accomplishment. After treatment adjusting back into mainstream society can be difficult. Aftercare is designed to bridge this transition. Typically aftercare programs include meetings, counseling, mentoring and some sort of sobriety testing. Sobriety can be difficult to sustain when old friends, places or situations that can cause stress. Aftercare provides resources to help individuals implement the copping tactics they learned while in treatment.
Treatment professionals for years have relied on urine alcohol testing for monitoring a person in aftercare. While urine testing has proven to be a dependable testing method, the delay in test result is not conducive to an aftercare program. This method fails to provide counselors with the necessary real-time knowledge of a relapse. During treatment, catching a relapse can be the difference between life and death.
Modern Sobriety Monitoring
In 2010, Soberlink realized the need for creating lifestyle friendly technology to assist people in recovery. Offering a new approach to alcohol monitoring with the first truly portable, convenient, and discreet alcohol monitoring system. Currently, there are two Soberlink devices on the market, Cellular and Bluetooth, both collect a deep-lung breath sample and use a medical grade fuel cell sensor to obtain the client’s breath alcohol concentration or BAC on each test. The Soberlink system helps individuals with an alcohol addiction by assisting them in staying accountable and changing their behavior.
The Soberlink devices detect a relapse in real-time allowing counselors to be proactive. The secure, accurate and convenient device gives the treatment professional the ability to monitor their client in a low-maintenance manner. While also, empowering caregivers to detect a relapse quickly and take swift and appropriate action. Dr. Gregory Skipper the Director of Professionals Health Services at Promises Treatment Center said, “Soberlink appears to be the most user-friendly, sensitive and specific way to monitor alcohol abstinence. My prediction is that Soberlink will soon replace all other forms of alcohol monitoring.”
Soberlink has helped thousands of alcohol dependent people improve their chances of a successful recovery. Hundreds of treatment facilities have relied on Soberlink since its launch.
[1] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism No. 6 PH 277
About the Author
Soberlink supports accountability for sobriety through a comprehensive alcohol monitoring system. Combining a breathalyzer with wireless connectivity, the portable design and technology includes facial recognition, tamper detection and real-time reporting. Soberlink proves sobriety with reliability to foster trust and peace of mind.