Understanding Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) Programs:
Elements, Features, and Requirements
Originally from - Counterpoint Volume 8: Issue 4 - Article 5 (Feb 2025)
An article for participants in the myCAMprogram
Jan Semenoff, BA, EMA
Forensic Criminalist
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Article information:Article - 1040 words (approximately 5-6 minutes)
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If you are in a court-ordered alcohol monitoring program, you may hear the term Continuous Alcohol Monitoring or CAM. This simply means using technology to check for alcohol in your body all the time — not just once in a while.
Courts, probation officers, or parole boards often use CAM programs when someone has been charged with, or found guilty of, an alcohol-related offense. Sometimes CAM is used before trial. Other times, it is part of a sentence or probation plan.
In this article, you will learn what CAM programs are, the devices they use, how they work, and why understanding them is important for your success.
Why This Matters to You
If you are in a CAM program, your alcohol use is being checked 24 hours a day. The results can affect your freedom, your family, and your future. Even if you do not drink, things you do in your daily life could lead to a “positive” result if you do not follow program rules carefully.
Knowing how these programs work will help you:
- Avoid accidental violations
- Keep good records to protect yourself
- Follow the rules so you can complete the program successfully
Key Facts in Simple Terms
CAM programs use different devices to check for alcohol:
TAC Monitoring Devices
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Worn on the body (often the ankle), measure alcohol that leaves your skin.
The device works by detecting alcohol that is expelled through the skin due to the body’s metabolic process. They use a simple fuel cell sensor embedded in the device which measures the amount of alcohol off-gassing through the skin, suggesting an indicator of whether the individual has consumed alcohol.
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These devices continuously collects data, providing an uninterrupted record of the person’s alcohol consumption. However, they are also subject to external contamination or other outside influences.
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Ignition Interlock Devices:
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Breath Alcohol Monitoring Devices:
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Data Collection and Reporting
Many devices:
- Send results straight to the monitoring agency
- May have a camera to confirm it’s you giving the sample
- May have GPS to record your location
- Are designed so they cannot be removed or tampered with without sending an alert
It is important to know that the results may be conveyed to you through a Non-Compliance Report issued some time, often many months, after the logged event. As such, it may be important for your client to keep detailed records to provide evidence to the contrary regarding reported consumption.
Program Rules and Consequences
If the device shows you drank alcohol or tried to tamper with it, you could:
- Be sent back to jail or prison
- Have your probation extended
- Get other penalties from the court
Program Duration
The time you spend in a CAM program depends on your case:
- Some programs last weeks
- Others last months or even years
- CAM can be part of probation, parole, or a rehabilitation plan that may also include counseling or treatment
Requirements for Continuous Alcohol Monitoring programs
Courts may order CAM for:
- People convicted of alcohol-related offenses like DUI
- Repeat offenders or people with a history of alcohol misuse
- As an alternative to jail
- As part of family or domestic court cases — for example, to ensure a parent is alcohol-free during custody or visitation
How Many People Are in CAM Programs
Annual Enrolment Numbers
- In the U.S., many hundreds of thousands of people are in CAM programs each year.
- CAM is used in 48 states, plus Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
- One major manufacturer reported monitoring over one million people in 20 years.
In December of 2023, SCRAM Systems announced they had surpassed one million clients monitored in their 20-year history.
State-by-State Variation
The number of individuals in CAM programs can vary greatly from state to state. In the US, 48 states states have embraced CAM as a central part of their criminal justice reform initiatives, while others use it more selectively. For example, states like California, Texas, and Florida have large numbers of participants due to the high rates of alcohol-related offenses in those regions. In other states, CAM programs may be less common but are still utilized for certain offenders.
Trends in Alcohol Monitoring
CAM use is increasing because:
- Courts want safe alternatives to jail
- Technology is more advanced and reliable
- Programs focus more on rehabilitation than punishment
Key Takeaways
- CAM programs check for alcohol 24/7.
- Devices may be on your body, in your car, or handheld.
- Results can be used in court, sometimes months after they are recorded.
- Always keep your own detailed records.
- Following the rules protects you from false violations.
The number of people participating in CAM programs continues to rise each year, with hundreds of thousands currently enrolled in these programs. As technology and public attitudes toward rehabilitation continue to evolve, CAM programs are expected to play an increasing role in the justice system.
Practice Tip
If you ever get a positive reading but have not been drinking, ask for a retest immediately and write down everything you did, ate, or used in the past 24 hours.
Final Reminder
Being in a CAM program is serious, but with the right knowledge and careful habits, you can complete it successfully and avoid unnecessary problems. Understanding your device and the program rules is your best defense.
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