Breathalyzer

About: Breathalyzer is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 496 publications have been published within this topic receiving 7166 citations. The topic is also known as: alcohol breath analyzer & breathalyser.

Give them prizes, and they will come: contingency management for treatment of alcohol dependence.

Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a contingency management (CM) procedure that provided opportunities to win prizes as reinforcers. At intake to outpatient treatment, 42 alcohol-dependent veterans were randomly assigned to receive standard treatment or standard treatment plus CM, in which they earned the chance to win prizes for submitting negative Breathalyzer samples and completing steps toward treatment goals. Eighty-four percent of the CM participants were retained in treatment for an 8-week period compared with 22% of the standard treatment participants (p < .001). By the end of the treatment period, 69% of those receiving CM were still abstinent, but 61% of those receiving standard treatment had used alcohol (p < .05). These results support the efficacy of this CM procedure. Participants earned an average of $200 in prizes. This CM procedure may be suitable for use in standard treatment settings because prizes can be solicited from the community.

Treatment of cocaine and alcohol dependence with psychotherapy and disulfiram.

Abstract: Aims. To evaluate disulfiram and three forms of manual guided psychotherapy for individuals with cocaine dependence and concurrent alcohol abuse or dependence. Design. Randomized controlled trial. Setting. Urban substance abuse treatment center. Participants. One hundred and twenty-two cocaine/alcohol abusers (27% female; 61% African-American or Hispanic). Interventions. One of five treatments delivered over 12 weeks: cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) plus disulfiram; Twelve Step facilitation (TSF) plus disulfiram; clinical management (CM) plus disulfiram; CBT plus no medication; TSF plus no medication. Measurements. Duration of continuous abstinence from cocaine or alcohol; frequency and quantity of cocaine and alcohol use by week, verified by urine toxicology and breathalyzer screens. Findings. Disulfiram treatment was associated with significantly better retention in treatment, as well as longer duration of abstinence from alcohol and cocaine use. The two active psychotherapies (CBT and TSF) were associated with reduced cocaine use over time compared with supportive psychotherapy (CM). Cocaine and alcohol use were strongly related throughout treatment, particularly for subjects treated with disulfiram. Conclusions. For the large proportion of cocaine-dependent individuals who also abuse alcohol, disulfiram combined with outpatient psychotherapy may be a promising treatment strategy. This study underlines (a) the significance of alcohol use among treatment-seeking cocaine abusers, (b) the promise of the strategy of treating co-morbid disorders among drug-dependent individuals, and (c) the importance of combining psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of drug use disorders.

Disulfiram treatment for cocaine dependence in methadone-maintained opioid addicts.

Abstract: Aims: Cocaine use by patients on methadone maintenance treatment is a widespread problem and is associated with a poorer prognosis. Recent studies have evaluated disulfiram as a treatment for individuals with comorbid alcohol and cocaine abuse. We evaluated the efficacy of disulfiram for cocaine dependence, both with and without co-morbid alcohol abuse, in a group of methadone-maintained opioid addicts. Design: Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Urban methadone maintenance clinic. Participants: Sixty-seven cocaine-dependent, methadone-maintained, opioid-dependent subjects (52% female; 51% Caucasian). Intervention: Study medication, either disulfiram or placebo, was placed directly in the methadone to ensure compliance for 12 weeks. Measurements: Primary outcome measures included weekly assessments of the frequency and quantity of drug and alcohol use, weekly urine toxicology screens and breathalyzer readings. Findings: Disulfiram treated subjects decreased the quantity and frequency of cocaine use significantly more than those treated with placebo. Alcohol use was minimal for all subjects regardless of the medication. Conclusions: Disulfiram may be an effective pharmacotherapy for cocaine abuse among methadone-maintained opioid addicts, even in those individuals without co-morbid alcohol abuse. Disulfiram inhibits dopamine beta-hydroxylase resulting in an excess of dopamine and decreased synthesis of norepinephrine. Since cocaine is a potent catecholamine re-uptake inhibitor, disulfiram may blunt cocaine craving or alter the "high", resulting in a decreased desire to use cocaine.

Breathalyzer with voice recognition

Abstract: A Voice recognition Breathalyzer comprises of a microphone for transducing spoken expression into electronic signals and a breathalyzer sensor for transducing given breath content into electronic signals. An audio and breathalyzer sensor circuit for conditioning said electronic signals from said microphone and breathalyzer sensor; a memory storage for storing speech templates and toxic breath setting; a processor for processing said conditioned electronic signals and for simultaneously comparing the processed, conditioned electronic signals with said speech templates and said toxic breath setting threshold stored in said memory storage, said processor generating a unique signal when said processed, conditioned electronic signals are substantially similar to one of said speech templates and below said toxic breath setting threshold. In the preferred embodiment of invention said voice recognition breathalyzer is mobil and it's powered by a battery and said unique signals are transmitted by an RF link.