Denver Women’s Recovery is happy to introduce you to Soberlink, a professional-grade breathalyzer that will assist you in reaching your recovery goals. This is one of the newest alcohol monitoring breathalyzers to hit the market, and both law enforcement agencies and addiction recovery centers are already using it. Denver Women’s Recovery is now a certified Soberlink provider. This means that we can incorporate this technology into your alcohol addiction treatment plan. This device can hold you accountable for your addiction recovery goals and help you stay on the path to sobriety. Learn more about Soberlink, our alcohol addiction treatment in Colorado, and how they can help you achieve your recovery goals.
What Is Soberlink?
Soberlink is a professional-grade alcohol monitoring device. It is a breathalyzer that can detect alcohol use and alcohol use only. As a result, it can help alcoholics who are looking to recover from alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Soberlink comes with an online platform that allows addiction experts and loved ones to monitor the recovery journey. Some interesting and unique features of Soberlink are that it comes with facial recognition software, tamper detection hardware, and real-time reporting. This monitoring system has FDA 501(k) clearance, which means that the FDA has approved it. The internal tamper detection hardware has sensors that will flag any inconsistencies with human breath. Also, the facial recognition software adapts to subtle changes in appearance. When a user submits a test, the device will take their picture to verify their identity.
How Does Soberlink Work?
This device is incredibly easy to use in comparison to some other machines out there. To use Soberlink, you would need to:
- Press the power button to turn on the device
- Insert a mouthpiece into the device
- Press the submit button and wait for the blue light to flash
- Look into the camera and blow for four seconds when prompted
- Stop blowing when the device clicks
You will receive your test results within 60 seconds. The results will be automatically uploaded to the online portal. Make sure to only use the Soberlink mouthpiece when using the device. Also, for facial recognition purposes, ensure you are not wearing any headpieces or accessories, like sunglasses and hats, that might hide your face. For more information, check out the video below:
Benefits of Using Soberlink
In comparison to other alcohol monitoring systems and tests, Soberlink can offer many clear advantages and beneficial features. Some benefits that are unique to this device include:
- Real-time results. Addiction experts, the alcoholic, and their family and friends can easily get real-time results to see how the recovering alcoholic is doing.
- Advanced reporting. Soberlink can customize and adjust the reporting guidelines and the content of the reports based on each client’s needs.
- Confirmation of identity with facial recognition software. It’s hard to cheat this testing device because it uses facial recognition software to confirm your identity. You can’t have another family member or friend complete the test for you.
- Wireless connectivity. Soberlink comes with two device options. There’s a cellular (all-in-one) device and a Bluetooth device.
- Privacy and discreteness. Many recovering alcoholics may feel a lot of pressure when submitting a test. They may feel as if they will be judged if the results don’t come back negative. If you can relate to this, Soberlink can take a huge load off of your shoulders by offering you a discreet way to test for the presence of alcohol.
- Convenience. The device and all of its components come in a small kit. You can take this kit with you everywhere. You can keep one in your bag or even in your car.
- Full-service customer support team and compliance department. If you ever run into any problems while using Soberlink, you can easily reach out to their customer support team and get immediate help or feedback.
Soberlink can offer many advantages over other alcohol monitoring devices and systems. Since its inception, this device has become a very useful tool for both recovering alcoholics and addiction experts. This device can also be used in family law cases and criminal law cases.
How Accurate Are the Results?
Many alcohol users and their family and friends may wonder how accurate this device is. If the device shows that an individual is positive for alcohol, can the results be trusted? The answer to this question is yes. The validity of the results has been testified and defended in court. This alcohol monitoring system is not only accurate but also reliable. Its accuracy and precision are comparable to other alcohol tests out there. Soberlink uses a fuel-cell sensor with a detection range between 0.000% to 0.400% BAC. It has an accuracy level of +/- 0.005 BAC. This means that the results can be trusted.
Soberlink Will Detect Any Type of Alcohol
Soberlink can accurately and easily detect the presence of alcohol. It might be a surprise to some people, but you don’t have to drink to have consumed or ingested alcohol. This ingredient is found in many products like:
- Antidiarrheals, like Corrective Mixture w/Paregoric 2.0% and Parelixer 18.0%
- Antiemetic medications, like Dramamine Liquid 5.0%
- Cough, cold, and allergy medicines, like Benylin 5.0% and Robitussin PE 1.4%
- Foods containing yeast, vinegar, vanilla extract, soy sauce, and kombucha tea
- Laxatives, like Dr. Caldwell’s Senna Laxative 4.5% and Fletcher’s Castoria 3.5%
- Mouthwashes, like Dr. Tichener’s 70.0% and Mouthwash & Gargle 14.0%
- Medications for toothaches, cold sores, and canker sores, like Dalidyne 61.0%
- Painkillers, like Tylenol Extra Strength Liquid & Drops 8.5% and Valadol 9.0%
- Vitamins and supplements, like Ce-Vi Drops 5.0% and Zymasyrup 2.0%
For more information on what products contain alcohol, take a look at this list here. Those who have ingested any of the products on that page should take note when submitting a test. It may be best to wait awhile. It’s also a good idea to avoid these products in general when recovering from a drinking problem.
The Difference Between a Certified Provider and the Share Program
If you’ve already heard about Soberlink, then there’s a good chance that you’ve already read information on how it can aid in alcohol addiction recovery or relapse prevention. In this case, you’ll probably already have heard about the Share Program. Denver Women’s Recovery is a certified provider. There’s a distinct difference between the two. The Share Program is a program that any client can use to become more accountable for their recovery. Clients can share their results with people they’ve added to their Recovery Circle. Those in the Recovery Circle will not receive access to Soberlink’s unique web portal, but they can receive alerts and reports by email and text. A certified provider is quite different. Certified Providers, like our addiction specialists, will have access to Sober Sky, the Soberlink web portal. Here, our experts can control each client’s testing schedule. They can also control who will receive which results. Furthermore, certified providers receive training on the Soberlink System so they can use it in the most effective manner possible.
Random vs. Scheduled Testing
When setting up the testing schedule for each client, addiction experts can choose between random and scheduled testing. The general consensus for tests like urine tests is that random tests are more useful than scheduled tests. Soberlink recommends a different approach. Random testing can create a toxic and negative environment and the relationship between both the client and the clinician. Due to this reason, the experts at Soberlink recommend scheduled testing. The tests are set to a variable Test Window with a duration of either 1-hour, 2-hours, 3-hours, or 4-hours. A test can be submitted 15 minutes before the test time to 15 minutes after. Most alcohol rehab facilities will set the testing window to 2 hours. With that said, clients can submit a test at any time, even if it is not scheduled. These tests will be labeled as ‘unscheduled’ on the web portal. Before each test, clients can receive a reminder through text message if they’d like. Clients will have to opt-in for this feature. The Soberlink system will flag those who fail to submit a test on time. An alert will be sent to both the certified provider and any contacts that have been added to the system.
What If the Tests Come Back Positive?
Anyone struggling with alcoholism can attest to the fact that recovery is not easy. Relapses are going to be expected. Those who use the Soberlink system may still relapse and drink. In the event that the tests come back positive, the Soberlink device will ask the client to submit another test in 15 minutes. The device will continue to ask the client to submit a retest for each subsequence test that comes back positive until one of the following has occurred:
- The client submits a compliant test
- 3 hours have elapsed
With each positive test, an alert will be sent to the certified provider, as well as the client’s approved contacts. This means that other individuals can quickly see whether the alcoholic has relapsed or not. If they failed to abstain from alcohol, friends and family can reach out right away. Note that alcohol remains in the body for quite some time. Those who have gone off the rails and started binge drinking will likely test positive for several hours.
What’s Included in Advanced Reports?
One of the main benefits that certified providers get is advanced reports. Advanced reporting makes it easy for addiction experts to draw conclusions about each client’s recovery progress. Some of the key highlights and features of advanced reporting include:
- Easy-to-read test icons that are colored green, yellow, or red
- Summarized test results that show one of three outcomes: compliance, non-compliance, and missed
- Automated daily, weekly, and monthly reports
- Calendar view of the testing period
- Test details organized at the bottom of each page
Clients can ask the rehab facility to send these reports and results to them or their contacts as well. This way, everyone can keep track of the recovery progress. There are no more secrets. It’s almost impossible to hide alcohol use from the Soberlink device. It’ll be very difficult, if not impossible, for clients to cheat on their rehab.
How Soberlink Can Help
Alcohol addiction affects not only the alcoholic but also those who are around them. An addiction to alcohol can strain relationships and break trust. Loved ones may feel as if they can’t believe a single word that comes from the alcoholic. After all, addiction may cause them to lie. Soberlink stands out from other alcohol monitoring devices because it allows family and friends to also share in the recovery process. They can sign up for email updates to see whether the alcoholic has fallen back into old habits or whether they are staying strong and abstaining from liquor. Family and friends can receive regular email updates to see whether the alcohol abuser has relapsed or not. The reports not only show how consistently the alcoholic has been using the device but also what their BAC may be if the tests are positive. Since this device has tamper detection hardware and facial recognition software, family and friends can rest assured that the results are accurate. Soberlink not only helps rebuild trust but it also provides peace of mind to approved contacts. The reports may even be used in family therapy sessions.
Additionally, Soberlink can play a larger role when implemented in the following areas:
- In custody cases
- By law enforcement agencies
- In the workplace
The versatility of Soberlink ensures that your health and recovery are a priority.
Get Sober with Denver Women’s Recovery
Soberlink has revolutionized the alcohol addiction recovery industry. The regular testing and real-time reporting provided by this alcohol monitoring device ensure that everyone is on the same page. Recovering alcoholics stay accountable for their recovery. Addiction experts can easily see whether clients are on the right path or need more help, and loved ones can feel more secure.
With all these benefits in mind, Denver Women’s Recovery is happy to add the Soberlink system to our list of addiction treatment services. Anyone interested should contact us online or call 833.754.0554 for more information. Our experts can walk you through how the system works and how it can help you achieve your recovery goals.
