Every time someone is court ordered to wear a SCRAMx bracelet, it begins with a unique and personal story. But once SCRAMx becomes a part of so many diverse lives – with well over 120,000 people monitored to date – the individual outcomes echo many common themes.
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What SCRAMx Means to Program Participants
Taken mostly from the SCRAMx Exit Survey, the following quotations reflect the experiences participants most frequently report.
Security
While SCRAMx effectively addresses the issue of public safety, offenders also feel more secure while on SCRAM, often referring to the experience as “life-saving.” Read offender perspective »
Continuous Accountability
As a constant reminder to not drink, participants frequently think of SCRAMx as a personal coach and credit their bracelets for keeping them “on the straight and narrow.” Read offender perspective »
Awareness
When SCRAMx participants begin to see life clearly for what it can be – rather than the blur it used to be – they get “high” on a renewed sense of responsibility, vigor, and self-worth. Read offender perspective »
Achievement
At first, many participants perceive that they will “lose everything – friends, family, all of it” because they must wear SCRAMx. But once they near finish line, they start celebrating real gains rather than fearing imagined losses. Read offender perspective »
Financial Responsibility
By paying their SCRAMx program fees, clients literally invest in their own success – which for many, changes their outlook about how they spend their money. Read offender perspective »
Friends and Family
SCRAMx enables participants to “see life from the other side of the fence” and envision themselves in better contexts. In turn, it lets the other people in their lives embrace the positive changes these individuals begin to make. Read offender perspective »
A New Outlook
Even those participants who complain about SCRAMx admit that the program offers some undeniable upsides. Read offender perspective »
Security
“This product [SCRAMx] has saved my life. If it were not for this program I would have lost my license, my job, my home, and my company car. I cannot express my gratitude for the compassion and understanding that my agent showed to me during this difficult time. I am forever in her debt. I hope that programs like SCRAMx continue to grow nationally so that others may benefit as I have. Most importantly it has reinforced my commitment to never operate a vehicle with alcohol in my system, and I have not had a drink in over a year.”
2008 Program Participant and Salesperson
Continuous Accountability
“During the six months that I was monitored for alcohol, I knew that there was no way around it. If I drank, I would be detected and my probation violated. This fact helped motivate me to stay sober. I have been in trouble before for DUI and was required to abstain from alcohol in the past. I was able to get around other systems and breathalyzers without much problem. It turns out the SCRAMx was really helpful to me in the long run because I’m not drinking and I probably would be otherwise.”
2008 SCRAM Program Participant
Awareness
“Drinking only made my problems worse. SCRAM plus meetings and counseling have strengthened me mentally to cope without a drink. My counselor said if all her clients had to wear SCRAM there would be less relapses and it would give clients more time to clear their minds. For me, I now have no desire to drink and I have become a stronger and more positive person. I am now focused on my goals, my sobriety, my daughter and my family. I even go to family affairs now. Last year I wasn’t invited. SCRAM also allowed me to stay out of jail . . . so I could spend time with my one-year-old. More people should be ordered to the SCRAM program, especially if they have a family, a job, and the potential to succeed.”
2009 Program Participant
Achievement
“Every thought was about drinking. My first thought in the morning was about drinking and I planned everything around the booze . . . The SCRAM bracelet took the wondering and obsession out of it. It controls what you cannot control yourself. I just got a job,
my kids don’t see me passed out, my house is cleaner, we have more money, and I spend more time with the kids. My skin and hair are softer! The bracelet forced me to do what I should have been doing all along and I am actually proud of myself. I am totally for this thing! I could have gotten 30 days in jail and I would have been away from my kids. I don’t know if I ever would have put the bottle down without the bracelet. I have not thought of it as a punishment but as my savior.”
2009 Program Participant
Financial Responsibility
“One day this bracelet is going to be removed, but now I rely on God and my friends in AA. I’m confident that if I keep working the steps and working with other alcoholics, I don’t have to be afraid of the bracelet being gone. The bracelet buys you the time you need to receive the therapy an alcoholic needs. Maybe one day science will come up with a solution to cure addiction but until that day arrives I think the SCRAM device is the best alternative to locking someone up . . . I don’t have a lot of income because of my health, but if I can come up with the money to drink, I can come up with the money for SCRAM services. If I can come up with the money for the monthly SCRAM fees, anyone can!”
2009 SCRAM Program Participant and Former Company President
Friends and Family
“Our son experienced many serious consequences from alcohol abuse. After 42 days of in-patient intensive care, he started drinking again and got into more physical and legal trouble, which led to SCRAM . . . [Now] three months after wearing SCRAM, he is clean and sober; in his best physical shape ever; has lost his anger; and realizes the waste of time, money, energy, and friendships that alcohol caused. He smiles ALL the time! As parents, it is finally nice to know that he is safe, alcohol- free, and, especially, happy. We can all sleep better!”
Mother of a SCRAM Participant
A New Outlook
“When offered [SCRAM] as a monitoring option, I was not happy. But wearing the device has changed my attitude, especially since I am somewhat in the business. As a sentencing option that can effectively change conduct and attitude, I believe this option gives an offender the best available means to the road to recovery and/or a disposition of their case that is rehabilitative in nature.”
SCRAM Participant and Attorney at Law
