More people are turning to recovery apps to maintain sobriety and track their progress after detox.
Indiana ranks 34th in the U.S. for drug-related deaths, with 17.9 opioid-related fatalities per 100,000 people. Today, those recovering from alcohol or substance use disorders need all the emotional support they can get.
If you or someone you know is working to stay free from drugs or alcohol, this journey can be especially tough with social distancing measures in place.
To stay committed to your recovery, it’s important to stick to a healthy routine: eat nutritious whole foods, limit processed foods, exercise regularly, practice mindfulness, and attend support meetings, even if they’re currently held online.
But what about the moments in between?
What happens when boredom strikes?
Sometimes, challenging life events can bring on a low mood, potentially triggering a relapse.
Fortunately, technology has advanced to the point where it can now play a vital role in supporting those struggling to stay sober.
There are various apps available that provide anyone in recovery with access to a supportive community of individuals facing similar challenges, helping to strengthen the resolve to remain substance-free.
Here, we’ll share our picks for the 5 best apps that can effectively help people in recovery stay motivated and focused on avoiding both emotional and physical relapse.
Let’s dive in!
5 Best Apps for Recovery
Sober Grid App
While most recovery apps focus on tracking daily progress, Sober Grid offers a different kind of support.
This app functions as a social network specifically designed for individuals dealing with cravings, providing access to certified peer coaches and a community of people experiencing similar struggles. Available for both Android and iOS, Sober Grid connects people in recovery around the clock, offering valuable emotional support whenever it’s needed most.
Certified peer coaches on the app have maintained long-term sobriety and completed specialized training, ensuring they can provide appropriate guidance and support.
You can download the app and start connecting to a supportive community right away.
Squirrel Recovery
Squirrel Recovery was created by Brad Lander, a psychologist and clinical director of addiction medicine at Ohio State University, in response to the worsening opioid crisis.
The app’s development was inspired by an intern who had witnessed the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic in her own hometown.
The Squirrel Recovery app focuses on the most crucial people in a person’s recovery journey—friends, family, and addiction counselors.
This app helps individuals stay connected with a core group of 10 supportive contacts who provide encouragement and hold them accountable during stressful times. It also tracks the user’s moods and monitors periods when they are most vulnerable to relapse.
When signs of a potential relapse are detected, the app sends alerts to the designated contacts, prompting them to offer timely support. For emergencies, users can press an “SOS” button, instantly notifying their network with a message saying, “Urgent! I need help now.”
AA 12 Step App
The AA 12 Step app is a valuable resource for managing alcohol cravings, offering the same kind of support as in-person meetings without the need for travel. It comes packed with features that complement the 12-Step program, including:
- A sobriety calendar to track the number of days sober
- A moral inventory tool for working on personal challenges like fear or resentment
- A journaling feature to reflect on thoughts and experiences
- A gratitude list that can be shared with others on social media
- Options to connect with a sponsor or sponsee
- Prayers and readings to inspire and motivate you on your recovery path
SoberTool
Developed by researchers at Ohio University, SoberTool is a sobriety app designed to support relapse prevention.
The app includes a sobriety tracker that automatically counts clean days and calculates the money saved, which can be highly motivating. It also delivers daily messages and reminders to help users stay focused on their recovery.
Additional features include a journaling section and a game to help manage cravings. The app allows users to input their current emotions, and its search engine provides tailored responses to help understand and cope with those feelings, minimizing the risk of an emotional relapse.
SoberTool is suitable for a wide range of addictions, including:
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Crystal meth
- Food
- Gambling
- Heroin
- Internet
- Marijuana
- Sex
- Social media
- Spending
You can download the app and start using it today.
Pear reSET
The reSET app by Pear Technology is an FDA-approved tool designed to help addiction outpatients through guided lessons on recovery from opioids and alcohol.
This digital recovery app is available to those in recovery who have a prescription and are not undergoing opioid replacement therapy. The reSET program consists of a 12-week course aimed at teaching users about their emotions and triggers, equipping them with strategies to effectively manage cravings.
To be eligible, users must be participating in an outpatient program or be under a clinician’s direct supervision. While the reSET app serves as an educational and therapeutic tool, it is not intended for emergency situations.
The app is available for download, but access requires a code issued by your outpatient treatment program.
Next Steps
We hope this list of top recovery apps provides some valuable options, especially if you’re finding it challenging during the ongoing lockdown and social distancing measures.
For help with any aspect of your recovery, contact us at Sunrise Recovery at +1(877)978-6747, and our expert team will be happy to assist you. Stay strong!
