Addiction Recovery Apps: Tech’s New Role in Sobriety
We have a guest contribution today from Dale Vernor. Source modified to include links to, and pictures of the apps, change one space and one letter, but otherwise left unchanged.
People who have battled addiction and found recovery are not necessarily finished with their struggles. It’s something they have to deal with every day, and while it might get easier, it’s never easy. During rehab, people are introduced to many tools that can help them stay sober. Personal therapy, support group meetings, medication and holistic therapies, just to name a few. In recent years, a new, more modern tool has been gaining popularity.
Addiction recovery apps are making waves in the world of recovery as they are designed to help the modern recovering addict. When looking at the overall situation it only makes sense that recovery apps are starting to pop up on the market. Over the past decade, heroin use has doubled among people aged 18-25, which is also one of the largest age groups of smartphone users .
Many people in their 20s who have been caught up in the painkiller and heroin crisis have started attending traditional addiction support group meetings. The clash of generations can be quite problematic as the old-school and new-school believe and value different ideas.
Older adults in recovery prefer face to face meetings, are comfortable sharing in front of others and believe having your cellphone out is a sign of disrespect. Younger recovering addicts prefer chatting through messages, Facetime conversations, and do not view being on the phone as a sign of disrespect.
Technology is always providing help where we least expect it. It will be interesting to see how technology’s role progresses in the addiction treatment field. The following are popular addiction recovery apps on the market today along with their unique features.
SoberTool
This app is great for helping users keep track of their sobriety and earn rewards for hitting their milestones. It offers a feature that allows users to calculate how much money they have saved by being sober. Users can communicate with each other via the app and even read uplifting messages to help them stay on track. It’s free too.
Download: Google Play | App Store
Pear reSet
This app is a popular one and has even been approved by the FDA. It includes a 12 step rehab program that most people in recovery find familiar and effective. Richard Francis, CEO, of the company that created the app said,
“We all have a role to play in helping find solutions that work for patients, families, and communities as we fight the substance abuse epidemic. Adding reSET to outpatient therapy enhances behaviors associated with recovery. It leverages new technology to help patients improve abstinence in substances of abuse and stay in treatment programs longer than outpatient therapy alone.”
It’s been approved by many experts in the field. Corey McCann, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Pear Therapeutics said,
“Patients with Substance Use Disorder deserve access to more effective, convenient, and innovative treatment options. reSET has been clinically validated to improve outcomes for patients significantly, while also providing patients with a discreet way to access care when and where they need it. Prescription digital therapeutics will help redefine the treatment of serious diseases like Substance Use Disorder, providing improved patient outcomes, and driving clinical insights for clinicians.”
Download: App Store
Sober Grid
Sober Grid is one of the largest recovery apps available. It has a large following, and those who use it claim it has helped them tremendously. It allows recovering addicts to talk to each other and help each other through their problems. It’s similar to Facebook, and it’s completely free. A popular feature is the ability for users to find other sober people nearby if they feel like they need to talk to someone. Sober Grid has tips that users can utilize daily to improve their mood and help them stay on the right track.
Download: Google Play | App Store
Nomo – Sobriety Clocks
This app is great for someone who is in recovery or anyone who is helping a friend or loved one deal with addiction and recovery. Users can share their feelings on their journal and reach out for support. The app has a sobriety clock to help recovering addicts count the days of sobriety. It also allows users to share their clocks with their accountability partner. Another helpful and unique feature is the Encouragement Wall that people can visit when feeling down.
Download: Google Play | App Store
Author bio: Dale is a writer and researcher in the field of mental health and substance abuse for Monarch Shores Rehab in California. Dale likes to write about these topics to help reduce the negative stigma associated with both. When not working you can look for Dale at your local basketball court.
*Images are from the App store, and the Blue Diamond Gallery
