Sobriety is an ongoing challenge, but it’s a feat that anyone can be proud of achieving. It’s important to remember, however, that no one reaches the goal of sobriety without help, whether that help comes from friends, family, therapists, or rehabilitation centers. Fortunately, in this modern age, you can also find credible help on your phone through mobile apps.
There are many useful apps available for people with substance use disorders who are trying to get sober or stay sober. Below, we’ve compiled a list of nine helpful sobriety apps, including their ratings, a summary of their functions and offerings, and a general overview of price.
1. Hazelden
iPhone Rating: 4.9
Android Rating: 4.8
This free app acts as a companion, providing daily meditations, prayers, and thoughtful guidance to anyone in recovery from alcohol or drugs. It also functions as a spiritual resource with practical applications, easy to integrate into your day-to-day life. In addition to prayers and meditations, it includes the more well-known Serenity Prayer, Twelve Steps, and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Anyone using the app can easily swipe forward or back in the calendar of meditations, share and bookmark daily readings, and receive daily reminders and notifications. Details like front size and light/dark mode are also customizable.
Plan Options for Hazelden
Hazelden is offered on Apple and Android for free.
2. I am Sober
iPhone Rating: 4.9
Android Rating: 4.8
At first glance, I am Sober is a free tracking app, but upon closer inspection, it’s much more. Yes, it allows the app user to track sober days, but it also helps them build new habits, providing motivation and a means of forming a network of support along the way. Within that network, you can learn from others in the sober community and share techniques or tactics that have worked for you. Each day, I am Sober includes a daily pledge because it was made with the awareness that sobriety is a day-by-day struggle. You can also review your progress and log notes every evening.
The app also includes: a helpful sobriety calculator that shows how much money and time you save by choosing to be sober; trigger analysis to identify helpful or harmful patterns; story sharing with yourself and others; a milestone trackers; withdrawal timeline; and customizable options. Perhaps most helpful, support providers which could include recovery coaches, family members, counselors, therapists, and in- or outpatient treatment centers.
Plan Options for I am Sober
I am Sober offers two plans with different price points:
- Free, including all features described above.
- Sober Plus, including premium features like data backup, locked access, more customization, motivation packs, and profile badges.
- $4.99/month, auto renewing.
- $27.49, six month subscription.
- $49.99, one year subscription
3. 12 Steps AA Companion
iPhone Rating: 4.3
Android Rating: 4.7
This app is designed specifically for people attending Alcoholics Anonymous, including a Big Book reader that allows you to highlight, note-share, and read on the go. It also includes motivation and insight in the form of prayers, promises, and meditations. As a highly comprehensive tool, 12 Steps AA Companion includes a sobriety calculation, anonymous icon, built-in dictionary, AA contacts database, and customization features. To make reading easier, it allows the app user to choose between portrait or landscape layout, jump to page numbers, “Return to Bookmark,” search, and magnify.
Plan Options for 12 Steps AA Companion
12 Steps AA Companion is offered on Apple and Android at two different price points:
- $2.99 for Apple
- $1.99 for Android
4. Pear reSET-O
iPhone Rating: 2.9
Android Rating: 4.6
This digital therapy app is the first of its kind to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assist in treating substance use disorders. It’s made up of a 12-week program schedule, including interactive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and regular check-ins for people in outpatient treatment. As a prescription based supplement to treatment, it guides app users through a lesson plan to recovery, including quizzes and virtual rewards.
Additionally, for those under clinical supervision, it provides transmucosal buprenorphine and contingency management with daily reminders to take medication. Strengthen coping strategies, track cravings, and record triggers so both you and your therapist can better understand your progress. Ask your provider to add this to your treatment plan.
Plan Options for Pear reSET-O
Pear reSET-O is offered on Apple and Android for free.
5. Sober Grid – Social Network
iPhone Rating: 4.9
Android Rating: 3.7
Consider Sober Grid the social network for people recovering from substance use disorders. It includes an Instagram-like feed where you can post, chat, and send private messages. Ultimately, it helps app users find sober friends in their immediate community or farther away, allowing them to build their own network of support. If you become a Sober Grid user, you can also personalize your profile, save favorite sober buddies, and keep track of sober days. There is also an option for anonymity, 24/7 peer support, and access to critical resources including recovery coaching.
Plan Options for Sober Grid
Sober Grid is offered on Apple and Android for free with additional paid Recovery Coach services.
6. Nomo
iPhone Rating: 4.8
Android Rating: 4.6
Nomo is a simple clock app created by a recovering addict; however, you can create as many private clocks as you need for things like habits, hang-ups, or hurts. Additionally, this app has features like the encouragement wall, partner searching, clock sharing, private messaging, milestone awards, journaling, and games and exercises to help you refocus. You can also get a detailed breakdown report of your progress, see how much money you’ve saved by not supporting your habit, earn virtual chips, and share your success on Facebook and Twitter. Perhaps the best thing about Nomo is that it’s completely free.
Plan Options for Nomo
Nomo is offered on Apple and Android for free. Donate to stop ads.
7. Joe & Charlie
iPhone Rating: 4.9
Android Rating: 4.8
Joe & Charlie Big Book Study from Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 step programs gives its app users access to credible speakers, effective workshops, daily readings, reflections, inspirational personal stories, and more. There is an extensive library of in-depth information to help you grow and learn, as well as guidance to techniques like meditation and better sleep habits. While there are paid plan options, Joe & Charlie is known for its large library of free content, accessible to anyone at any time.
Plan Options for Joe & Charlie
Joe & Charlie is offered on Apple and Android for free with in-app purchases at two different price points:
- $3.99 for 1 month
- $6.99 for 3 months
8. I Am
iPhone Rating: 4.8
Android Rating: 4.8
This app is all about harnessing the power of positive affirmations. All you need sometimes is a gentle, kind, thoughtful reminder to yourself. You can do this! I am offers a collection of exercises to help app users deal with anxiety and general fear about recovery. It operates based on the belief that speaking positive words out loud can be an excellent method of coping. Explore the apps different categories, collections, and themes.
Plan Options for I am
I am is offered on Apple and Android for 5 different plans:
- $19.99 for 1 year
- $2.99 for 1 month
- $29.9 for I am Premium
- $99.99 for lifetime
- $9.99 I am Premium
9. Stop Drinking With Andrew Johnson
iPhone Rating: 4.3
Android Rating: 4.4
This app helps users relax, think positive, and motivate themselves to overcome physical and emotional cravings. It aims to provide practical tools to help you change your thinking, break bad habits, and regain control of your life. You’ll have access to breathing techniques, meditations, hypnotherapy, visualization practices, and positive suggestions and affirmations to help you make a positive difference. Mindfulness expert, coach, and therapist Andrew Johnson (after whom the app is named) is recognized for helping people overcome challenges with guided self-care.
Plan Options for Stop Drinking With Andrew Johnson
Stop Drinking with Andrew Johnson is offered on Apple and Android at two different price points:
- $2.99 for Apple
- $2.49 for Android
For Further Reading
- Best Books About Alcoholism & Sobriety
- Best Apps for Addiction Recovery
- Our in-depth review of today’s best online therapy options
- NAMI support groups
- MentalHealth.gov