Dr. Phil Tackles Alcohol Addiction, Prominently Features Alcohol-Sniffing Bracelet on 'Children of Addicts' Segment

Dr. Phil Tackles Alcohol Addiction, Prominently Features Alcohol-Sniffing Bracelet on 'Children of Addicts' Segment

DENVER, Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In a powerful episode on addiction that aired on Friday, December 15, 2006, Dr. Phil McGraw and his wife, Robin -- both children of alcoholics -- featured the story of a hard core, high-risk alcoholic whose life has been transformed through the use of a remarkable high-tech ankle bracelet called SCRAM(R).

Manufactured and marketed by Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. (AMS), SCRAM(R) (for Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) includes an ankle bracelet that high-risk offenders wear 24/7 during their court-ordered sentences to detect alcohol consumption. Using non-invasive transdermal analysis, the system automatically samples the individual's sweat for alcohol every hour around the clock. Currently used in 41 states, the system is the only Continuous Alcohol Monitoring solution on the market today.

The December 15th episode centered on James, a former small town mayor who eventually lost seven jobs, depleted his family's retirement and savings, lost their health insurance, and had passed out drunk at least 300 times over the last two years. His wife, Jill, related how James was a horrible influence on their 15-year-old son, Robert, and how the former town hero had become the town drunk.

In the summer of 2006, James was arrested for drunkenness and domestic violence -- with a blood alcohol level of over .40 BAC -- and ordered to wear a SCRAM ankle bracelet for three months. According to son Robert, it began to change their lives. At the time of the show, James had completely stopped drinking for six weeks -- which was the first time his son could ever remember seeing him sober. "I just want a happy, sober father," said Robert. "Having him on the bracelet, it's been great. I've talked to a couple of his friends who want it on him for a couple of years!" Robert also says that, because of SCRAM, he's had the opportunity to finally find out who his dad really is.

Dr. Phil's wife, Robin, related her own pain and challenges as the child of an alcoholic. "If I would have had one of these (SCRAM), I would've strapped it on my father in a heartbeat," she said. "I'm thrilled for you to have that little piece of mind, knowing he won't drink," Robin told Robert.

A chronic alcoholic and repeat criminal offender, James admitted to drinking more than a pint of vodka every day until he was arrested. Dr. Phil cautions James that becoming sober with the assistance of SCRAM is a good first step, but that he's not completely out of the woods. "You're what I call a white knuckler," said Dr. Phil. "Trust me when I say this: Your brain is not right yet. You were .4 on a number of occasions. That's alcohol toxicity level. That will kill you. It will be a long time before you are detoxified, before those tissues clear themselves of alcohol."

Mike Iiams, chairman and CEO of AMS, agrees. "Studies show that, cognitively, the brain doesn't begin to function clearly until someone is four months or more into a period of sobriety," says Iiams. "And unless you can test them every two to three hours, you're going to miss 98% of drinking events. That's why many courts are incorporating Continuous Alcohol Monitoring into their intensive supervision programs."

When asked by Dr. Phil whether he'd continue drinking when the bracelet is removed, James said he wasn't entirely sure. "That doesn't surprise anyone who works with hardcore alcoholics," says Iiams. "The biggest mistake is treating alcoholism as if it's an acute illness. It's chronic. And someone like James needs longer than a few weeks or months of sobriety to get his life back on track." Dr. Phil concluded the show by emphasizing that SCRAM, coupled with an intensive treatment program, is James' best bet for rehabilitation and long-term recovery.

About Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.

Established in 1997, Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. manufactures SCRAM(R), the world's only continuous alcohol testing system that uses transdermal analysis to monitor alcohol consumption. SCRAM is currently in use by approximately 800 courts and agencies in 41 states. AMS employs 47 people across the U.S., and is a privately-held company headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Source: Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Karen Lambert, Director of Marketing, +1-303-335-7210,
klambert@alcoholmonitoring.com, or Media, Kathleen Brown, +1-303-785-7822,
kbrown@alcoholmonitoring.com, both of Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.

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