Although the BACtrack View remote alcohol monitoring system is incredibly easy to set up and use, there are a few items you need to consider before you begin alcohol monitoring, whether to assure personal accountability of a loved one or in a family law situation.
1. Who Pays?
If you’re using BACtrack View to help your spouse abstain from alcohol, the issue of who pays for the monitoring probably won’t be much of an issue. However, this question may very well come up in a child custody situation. Unless both parties are on good terms, the decision as to who bears the cost may be better negotiated by your attorneys. It’s all too likely that emotions will become involved in the discussion, and both parties’ attorneys are well-equipped to represent their clients’ interests while remaining calm and civil.
While cost can be a contentious issue, you should know that BACtrack View is one of the most affordable breathalyzers with police-grade accuracy. There are no setup fees, initial equipment costs, or contracts.
2. How Frequently Should Testing Occur?
The answer to this question is somewhat dependent on your individual situation, although most alcohol addiction counselors agree that four breathalyzer tests per day are usually sufficient. You may, of course, choose to test less often. For example, in a shared child custody situation, both parties may agree that testing is not appropriate when the child is not present.
Remember that the testing schedule doesn’t have to be rigid. You can vary the amount and times of testing according to the situation. You may decide to test more frequently if the tested person is on a weekend trip, for example.
3. What Should Happen if a Test is Positive?
If your loved one is struggling with alcohol problems, they’ve made a positive step by agreeing to undergo remote alcohol monitoring. Still, alcohol abuse is a very challenging problem and setbacks may occur. You need to have a plan in place in the event of a positive test. This plan should include mutually-agreed upon measures and would ideally be made with the advice of a certified counselor, therapist, or addiction medicine physician.
The picture changes somewhat if alcohol testing is occurring in the setting of a family law dispute. In this case, it’s best to have the consequences of positive tests written out and approved by the court. Your attorney can help you with this, and possible results could include loss of visitation rights or termination of joint custody.
4. Who Receives the Test Results?
Tests results should only be shared with those who have a legitimate need to know. These include the tested party and the tester, attorneys and the court (if applicable), any medical or psychological professionals, and family members that have previously been agreed upon. In a legal situation, disclosure of the test results to other third parties may be a violation of privacy. While if you’re trying to help a loved one with alcohol recovery, sharing the results with others can destroy trust and lead to setbacks.