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Clear Insight:
​The myCAMprogram Blog

Welcome to Clear Insight: The myCAMprogram Blog
​Our goal is simple - to bring clarity to a complex and often confusing subject: alcohol monitoring. Whether you are a participant living with a monitoring device, a family member looking for answers, or a lawyer seeking reliable forensic insight, you’ll find practical guidance here. Each post translates science into plain language, highlights real-world challenges, and offers strategies to prevent false positives and protect your progress.

Why do false positives happen?

10/18/2025

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Understanding the confusion behind your readings.
​You followed every rule, stayed compliant, and still—your monitor flagged a “positive.”
You feel anxious, maybe even accused. What went wrong?
Many participants assume a reading always means alcohol use. In truth, that number is just data, and like any data, it can be influenced by far more than one factor. The reality is that alcohol monitoring technology is sensitive. It’s built to detect alcohol molecules, but it doesn’t always know where those molecules came from.
​Everyday life introduces countless possibilities: a medicated cough drop, hand sanitizer, or even a health condition can create a temporary spike. Add in differences between breath and skin-based devices, and it’s easy to see why confusion and false alarms happen.
But the problem isn’t just the device. It’s the lack of clear, science-based education. Participants are told what to do, not why. Without understanding the “why,” you’re left to guess - and guessing can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
The good news? There’s a way to separate fact from fear.
Inside the myCAMprogram, we explain exactly how these devices detect alcohol, what influences those readings, and the practical steps that keep your data accurate. You’ll learn how to document what matters and protect yourself with confidence, not panic.
Key takeaway: False positives don’t always mean failure. Sometimes, they mean missing information.
Learn what your device is really measuring at mycamprogram.com.
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The 20-minute rule: Why waiting before a breath test matters

9/30/2025

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If you’ve ever taken a breath test, you might have been told: “Don’t eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes before blowing.” That’s not just a random rule — it’s critical for getting a fair result.
Here’s the reason: residual alcohol.
Products like mouthwash, cough syrup, breath spray, or even certain foods can leave alcohol, or worse, a substance that looks like alcohol to your testing device, in your mouth and throat. If you blow into a breath testing device too soon, it can mistake that leftover vapor for real alcohol in your blood.
Even if you didn’t drink, the machine might show a false positive. That’s why professional testing standards, including DUI investigations, always require a 15–20 minute wait period before testing.
What can you do?
  • Wait at least 20 minutes after eating, drinking, or using mouth products.
  • Document if you weren’t given that wait time. This could matter in court.
  • Be careful with common products like hand sanitizer, cough drops, or alcohol-based sprays.
Key takeaway: That 20-minute wait isn’t just a rule - it’s protection for you. Skipping it raises the risk of false positives that can affect your freedom or your case.
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    Author

    Jan Semenoff, BA, EMA
    - Forensic Criminalist
    - Author
    - Editor of Counterpoint - The Journal of Science and the Law

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myCAMprogram is an online training course created by:
     Counterpoint - The Journal of Science and the Law
A publication of:
​     Industrial Training & Design Ltd.
     Saskatoon, SK, Canada
​     Toll-Free:   1-888-470-6620
     ISBN:    978-1-988334-00-4
​© 2025 Industrial Training & Design Ltd.
​All rights reserved. This course and all associated materials are protected under international copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification is strictly prohibited.
​Please honour the intellectual property rights of our work.
  • Home
    • About the Program >
      • For Lawyers & Law Firms
      • About the Program Creator
      • FAQ
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
  • Client Portal
    • Criminal Course Overview
    • Family Course Overview
    • Workplace Course Overview
    • Voluntary Course Overview
  • Criminal Law
  • Family Law
  • Bonus Material
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • OACDL