How (Not) to Trick Your SCRAM Bracelet

Debunking Myths: Can You Really Outsmart a SCRAM Bracelet?

At AttoLife, a leader in alcohol monitoring solutions, we often hear some creative theories about ways people think they can fool their SCRAM bracelet (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring). From everyday foods to household items, there’s no shortage of myths about how to beat alcohol detection systems. Spoiler alert: none of these tricks work. Let’s dive into the myths and see why these ideas don’t hold up.

Myth: "Alcohol Can Be Smelled Through the Skin, So I Can Trick the Bracelet"

If you’ve ever sat on a bus or train next to someone after a heavy night out and thought, I can smell the alcohol on them, you weren’t wrong. Here’s the science:

• 95% of alcohol is metabolised by the liver.

• 4% of alcohol is eliminated through breath and urine.

• Just 1% of alcohol is released through the skin as a gas (not sweat!).

This tiny amount of alcohol gas is what SCRAM bracelets detect – not sweat itself. Every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, the bracelet monitors for these gases. Trying to mask or cover up this process simply won’t work!

Myth 1: "Putting My Foot in Ice Will Stop Detection"

Some people believe that making their feet cold will prevent alcohol monitoring systems from detecting alcohol. One particularly determined individual tried sitting with their foot in a bucket of ice for hours while drinking. The result? A very cold foot – and alcohol still being detected.

Why this fails: Your body continues to metabolise alcohol and release it through the skin regardless of temperature. The process isn’t dependent on sweating, so cold temperatures have zero impact.

Myth 2: "Ham, Bologna, or Chicken Skin Can Fool the Bracelet"

This one always gets a laugh. Over the years, people have tried placing all sorts of materials between the SCRAM bracelet and their ankle, including:

• Ham

• Bologna

• Chicken skin

• Condoms

• Even tin foil!

The alcohol monitoring device is smarter than that. It’s equipped with an infrared sensor that calibrates itself to the ankle when first installed. If anything gets between the bracelet and the skin, it detects the interference immediately. So no, lunch meat won’t save the day.

Myth 3: "Rum Cake Will Trigger a Positive Reading"

Rum cake is delicious, but can it cause a positive SCRAM bracelet reading? The short answer: no (unless you eat an absurd amount).

Rum used in baking is typically burnt off in the cooking process, leaving only trace amounts of alcohol. In fact, to trigger a positive reading, you’d have to eat 10 pounds of rum cake in an hour. If you can manage that, we’ll be impressed – but it’s unlikely to happen!

Myth 4: "Non-Alcoholic Beer Will Cause a Positive Reading"

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding alcohol monitoring devices is: "Can I drink Heineken 0.0% with a SCRAM Bracelet?"

The short answer is yes—Heineken 0.0% and other truly alcohol-free beers will not trigger a positive reading on a SCRAM device. Non-alcoholic beers are often misunderstood when it comes to alcohol monitoring, but it’s important to distinguish between different types.

Most non-alcoholic beers fall into two categories:

1. Completely alcohol-free beers, such as Heineken 0.0%, which contain 0.0% alcohol and are safe to consume with a SCRAM bracelet.
2. Low-alcohol beers, which may contain a trace amount of alcohol (typically around 0.05% ABV). While this is significantly lower than regular alcoholic drinks, large quantities could still introduce ethanol into your system.

To put it into perspective, you would need to consume an excessive volume of low-alcohol beer—far beyond a reasonable amount—to approach the alcohol levels found in regular beer. Even then, it’s highly unlikely to affect your SCRAM readings.

However, it's always best to check with your supervising authority or court order, as some programmes may have restrictions against consuming any products labelled as "beer," even if they are non-alcoholic. If you are under monitoring, erring on the side of caution and confirming with your case manager is the safest approach.

So, if you’re wondering how to drink with a SCRAM bracelet, alcohol-free beer is a great option.

Bottom line: Heineken 0.0% is completely alcohol-free and should not cause any issues with a SCRAM bracelet.

Myth 5: "Drinking Hand Sanitizer or Mouthwash Will Trick the Bracelet"

This is a more serious issue. While standard use of mouthwash or hand sanitizer won’t trigger the bracelet, consuming these products in large quantities can.

Unfortunately, in some prisons and rehabilitation settings, individuals do drink hand sanitizer to achieve intoxication. Hand sanitizer contains high levels of alcohol, and drinking it can indeed trigger a positive reading. However, this isn’t “beating” the system; it’s simply being detected as intended.

Myth 6: "My Sock Slipping Under the Bracelet Won’t Matter"

It might seem harmless, but even a sock slipping under the SCRAM bracelet is a violation of alcohol monitoring terms. The bracelet requires direct skin contact to function properly. Any obstruction – whether it’s a sock, a business card, or anything else – will be detected and flagged.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Bother Trying to Beat the SCRAM Bracelet

The SCRAM alcohol monitoring bracelet is built with anti-circumvention technology to ensure continuous, accurate alcohol monitoring. After 21 years of implementation, the device has been tested against just about every trick imaginable – and it always wins.

At AttoLife, we provide reliable, court-trusted alcohol monitoring solutions to support individuals and legal systems in ensuring compliance. If you’re thinking about outsmarting the bracelet, remember: it’s smarter than you think.

For more information on how SCRAM alcohol monitoring works or to learn about our solutions, get in touch with our team today!

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