Should I Use a Sobriety App?

Should I use a Sobriety App

If you’ve considered using a sobriety app, you aren’t alone. Digital solutions are becoming an increasingly popular way to stay accountable, track your progress and begin to make strides in eliminating bad habits.

Using sober apps and alcohol apps can have benefits, but also limitations.

For example, if you want to cut back on your drinking, a sober app can be a good way to help you do that. If you’re struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, an app alone isn’t likely to help you begin recovery.

We’ll talk more about the situations where a sober app can be helpful below and what you should know.

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Different Types of Sobriety Apps

There is a wide range of sobriety apps available.

Some of the most popular general types of substance abuse and alcohol-related apps include:

  • Certain apps will provide you with recovery resources. For example, some apps have elements of 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, so you can refer to them and easily integrate them into your daily life.
  • Tracking apps with sobriety clocks or a sobriety counter help you see how many days you’ve been sober. Some of these sobriety trackers and sobriety calculator apps also have tools that allow you to work on building new habits. These are a good way to review your progress, see how well you’re meeting your goals, and identify potential patterns that could harm your sobriety.
  • Social networking apps are available to connect you with other people going through their recovery or working to stay sober from drug or alcohol abuse. You can use these apps anonymously if you choose. Social networking apps will often include feeds where you can post, and you may have the ability to send private messages as well.
  • Apps geared toward the recovery process might have withdrawal timeline examples for drug and alcohol addiction, so you have a better idea of what to expect daily as you go through the process. 
  • Encouragement and motivational message apps might offer you spiritual wisdom when you need it, and some of these platforms will also have milestone awards. Some apps offer positive affirmations on your phone that you can speak aloud and use as a coping mechanism.
  • Meditation and mindfulness apps don’t necessarily have to be specifically geared toward addiction recovery and sobriety to be helpful. These apps can help you remember to get back into the present when you’re struggling. Meditation and mindfulness are often key parts of recovery and staying sober for many people.
  • There are apps designed to help you find support and recovery group meetings near you, wherever you might be, which is helpful for your sober journey. 
  • You can use a mobile app to connect with a counselor or therapist when you need to, even when you’re on the go. Some of these apps offer access to behavioral therapy. 

When Are Sober Apps Helpful?

As you can see above, there are many types of sobriety app options available, which can have numerous benefits in your life.

Some situations when these apps are especially helpful include:

  • You’re feeling a little down or like your progress in your recovery journey is stalled. Using a tracker app can be a good way to see how far you’ve come.
  • If you’re in a situation where you’re experiencing a relapse trigger or a highly stressful situation, using apps can be a way to identify and put into action coping strategies.
  • If you’d like social support at the moment, perhaps when you’re struggling or have something you’d like to share, apps can provide you with a sense of connection.

Examples of Apps for Sobriety 

Some of the most popular apps with positive reviews geared toward sobriety and recovery include:

  • Twenty-Four Hours a Day: As one of the most popular alcohol reduction apps, Twenty-Four Hours a Day provides daily meditations, giving you access to inspiration when you need it. You can save your favorite meditations and refer back to them when you want. You can conveniently search the messages by keyword.
  • I Am Sober: This top-rated app is a sobriety counter and sobriety tracker that helps you keep up with your milestones and sober days. You can quickly get a status report whenever you use the app. You can also make daily pledges which are a manageable way to stay on track with reductions in alcohol consumption or drug use. There’s an option to access a 24-hour companion.
  • Sober Grid: The Sober Grid app primarily connects with other people who are dealing with or in recovery from substance use disorders. The feed is laid out similar to Instagram, and you can post and send private messages. You can find sober friends near where you live or build an online network of social support. Recovery coaching and around-the-clock peer support are available through the platform. Some of the features of Sober Grid are available as app purchases. Sober Grid has mostly positive user ratings. 
  • Nomo: A recovering addict created this simple clock app, available on the App Store. App users can create clocks tracking their sobriety and other habits. There are an encouragement wall, journaling, exercises, and games to get back on track when you need to. A unique feature of Nomo is its tracker that helps individuals in recovery see how much money they’ve saved through sobriety by reducing their substance or alcohol intake. 
  • I Am: The I Am app helps you regain control over your emotions and mental health with positive affirmations, daily messages, and motivational quotes. You can deal with your fears about your recovery or anxiety about general life. I Am’s concept is that speaking words of positivity out loud is a powerful coping mechanism.

Phone being plugged in

Can Apps Help You Get Sober?

If you find that your substance use or drinking habits are becoming problematic, you might want to make a behavioral change. You could have specific goals, like weight loss, fitness goals, or being more present, so you decide you’d like to cut down on your use of drugs or alcohol.

The desire to change your habits doesn’t mean you have an addiction. Even what you feel is excessive alcohol consumption doesn’t necessarily mean you have an alcohol use disorder. People with alcohol use may seek tools like a mindful drinking app or moderate drinking resources to help them gain control over their consumption.

If you don’t think you have an addiction but want to make changes in the patterns of your life, then apps for addiction recovery could be an excellent tool to cut down your alcohol consumption. Many apps offer motivational notifications, journaling features, and recovery calculators to help individuals track their progress and maintain healthy habits.

However, if you have a substance use disorder, you should consider a formal treatment program. An outpatient treatment program or medication-assisted treatment may be necessary before integrating digital tools like sobriety apps into your long-term plan. After treatment, these apps can support your journey of recovery, providing educational resources, relapse prevention tools, and peer engagement teams to help you stay on track.

The Role of Sobriety Apps in Recovery

An app alone is not a substitute for professional addiction treatment. Addiction is a chronic medical condition affecting every part of your life, requiring professional guidance from addiction specialists, treatment providers, and healthcare providers.

According to organizations like the Mental Health Services Administration, addiction symptoms can include:

  • Obsessive actions and thoughts – A sign of mental health disorders like addiction is a preoccupation with substance use. This often leads to neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home.
  • Continued use despite harm – If you have an addiction, you might continue using substances even after experiencing enormous health benefits from stopping. Harmful drinking can include blackouts, engaging in risky behaviors, or serious mental health issues.
  • Denial – Many people with opioid addiction or alcohol addiction hide their substance use. Online therapy companies and counseling services may help individuals confront their struggles.

In some cases, drug or alcohol dependence leads to withdrawal symptoms when stopping use. This is why professional substance use treatment is crucial. Medication-assisted therapy may be used to ease withdrawal and support long-term recovery.

Features in Recovery Apps

Many addiction apps offer features to support recovery, show sobriety milestones, and mental health maintenance:

  • Daily notifications for motivation
  • Meditation timers for stress reduction
  • 12-step groups and meeting schedules integration
  • Recovery goals tracking
  • Contingency management strategies
  • Inspirational messages for encouragement
  • Audio recordings from 12-step meetings and professional guidance
  • Journaling features to reflect on progress
  • Digital magazines like Recovery Today Magazine for informative content

Some apps also offer messaging services to connect with peer engagement teams or professional support. These interactive features make it easier for individuals to engage with their recovery community and stay accountable in their journey towards recovery.

Privacy and Security Concerns

When using apps for people in recovery, it’s important to consider concerns about patient confidentiality and patient privacy. Government agencies and health technology companies are working to ensure that user privacy is protected. However, some apps may collect access to user data, which raises ethical concerns. App developers and app sponsorship programs must ensure secure digital tools for those in recovery.

Making Informed Decisions

Choosing the right addiction recovery support depends on personal needs. Many treatment of addiction options include online psychiatry services, cognitive behavioral therapy, and therapy for substance use. Apps like Squirrel Recovery, Recovery Box, Kaden Health, Ria Health, Bicycle Health, and Confidant Health offer customizable recovery plans with engagement with recovery apps to support users.

For individuals struggling with gambling addiction, illicit substance use, or mental illness, substance use recovery tools can provide effective resources alongside professional treatment. Making informed choices about list of recommendations from addiction recovery statistics and advancements in addiction recovery ensures a strong support system.

Recovery is a challenging journey, but with positive reinforcement, peer support, and formal treatment programs, people can successfully achieve days of sobriety and live a happier life free from addiction.

Getting Help for Addiction in Orange County, CA

If you’re struggling with dependence or addiction, it’s important to get professional help. If you’re ready to reach out, we can provide you with more information about drug or alcohol treatment.

Recovery apps can be helpful once you get treatment to help you track your progress and improve accountability. Many people in recovery find a digital interventions like addiction recovery apps helpful to them to support long-term recovery. However, the first step to recovery from drugs or alcohol should always be treated. To learn more about treatment options in Orange County, CA call 855-953-1345 and talk to a member of the Opus Health team. 

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