Wearable technology can alert on alcohol consumption

According to a study, wearable sensors like a bracelet can help detect when heavy drinking consumption could lead to negative consequences, by measuring levels of intoxication through skin.
Researchers in Penn State’s Department of Biobehavioral Health recently measured intoxication with an ankle bracelet that can detect alcohol concentration from imperceptible amounts of sweat.

Michael Russell, Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health, who led the research project said, “Understanding how much alcohol you have consumed is nuanced. For example, if person A drinks a 16-ounce pint of craft beer with a 10 percent alcohol content, person B drinks a 12-ounce can of light beer with a 4 percent alcohol content, and person C drinks a large mixed drink made with several types of liquor, how many drinks have they all had? What if person A weighs 110 pounds, person B 220 pounds, and person C 185 pounds? Does the answer change?”

According to Russell: “By using wearable technology to predict alcohol-related consequences – which range from automobile accidents to hangovers to missing work and beyond – we can begin to prevent alcohol-related consequences. Our research shows that wearable sensors can be used to help people understand when their drinking is becoming risky.”