I Am Sober is an addiction support app that tracks sobriety, sends motivational messages, and connects users to a community of others in recovery. It offers various tools and content for free, but members can upgrade to I Am Sober Plus for $9.99 monthly or $119.88 annually to unlock extra resources. The annual subscription is currently discounted to $39.99 and includes a seven-day free trial.
Pros & Cons of the I Am Sober App
I Am Sober offers a variety of tools to help members stay committed to recovery from various forms of addiction. These tools include sobriety tracking metrics, personalized motivational packs, challenges, and community message boards. Signing up and getting started with I Am Sober is very easy. However, it’s not initially clear what information remains private and what is shared in the community features during the registration process.
How to Sign Up for the I Am Sober App
You can download the I Am Sober App through the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or by visiting the I Am Sober website.
What is I Am Sober?
I Am Sober is an addiction support app that provides helpful tools, motivational strategies, and community connections. The basic free version of I Am Sober offers considerable resources and activities, and the premium version unlocks access to private support networks. I Am Sober Plus costs $9.99 monthly or $119.88 annually. The annual subscription is currently discounted to $39.99 and includes a seven-day free trial.
The I Am Sober app aims to help those struggling with any form of addiction. The app has an extensive list of addictions to choose at the onboarding process —everything from social media and sex to drugs and alcohol. When you select the behavior you’d like to quit, you’re asked to enter your sober start date, why you want to stop, and to make a sobriety pledge. I Am Sober helps members stay on track by sending reminders to return to the app and renew their pledges at the beginning and end of each day.
I Am Sober tracks your journey through various customizable metrics on the “Progress” tab. For instance, if you’ve committed to quitting drinking, you don’t only see how many days you’ve remained sober, but you can also track how much money, time, or calories you’ve saved. The “Today” tab is where users renew their daily pledge and complete suggested tasks from the “Workbook.” An example of a workbook task would be to make a list of people to call when you’re fighting cravings or create an action plan for when you have unexpected urges. Several of these are free, but you must pay for a subscription to unlock all workbook activities.
All users have access to the “Community” tab, which is a message board with other members who share your addiction and the number of days sober. For example, if your addiction is nicotine, your community board is composed of other members quitting nicotine who have reached your same milestone (e.g., one day, three days, 30 days clean). You can choose to follow specific members in your community, and they can also follow you back. However, you must pay for a subscription to create a private group, which is a smaller group created to share personal stories and events.
I Am Sober also has a “Motivation” tab that offers motivational packs. The packs are collections of inspirational messages and quotes delivered daily for 30 days. A few motivational packs are available for free, but you must pay for a subscription to access all of them. You can also unlock a paid motivational pack by committing to a challenge, such as a seven-day sobriety pledge streak. Each pack has a theme, like girl power, peace, or Christian strength. Since everyone draws on inspiration from different sources, having different motivational themes is definitely a perk when it comes to personalized addiction support.
Last on the main menu is the “Support” tab. This tab allows users to connect with a Better Help therapist. Live sessions with a Better Help therapist are not included with the premium subscription to I Am Sober Plus. However, members can get 20% off when registering for Better Help through the I Am Sober app, even if they only use the free version.
Who Is I Am Sober Right For?
I Am Sober is a popular addiction support app for good reasons. It’s an excellent app for anyone looking for a community of people sharing similar experiences, and it can be incredibly helpful for those struggling with multiple addictions. I Am Sober is also a great app for users who want to identify behavioral patterns contributing to their addiction and sobriety.
Communities with Shared Experiences
When you sign up for I Am Sober and enter your addiction, you’re immediately grouped in a community space with other users facing the same addiction. Every addiction has unique obstacles and withdrawal symptoms. For instance, someone trying to quit a social media addiction is not necessarily experiencing the same challenges as someone quitting drugs or alcohol. I Am Sober offers a platform that promotes empathy and understanding for groups facing shared hardships.
Facing Multiple Addictions
The I Am Sober app can also be a valuable resource for those trying to quit multiple unwanted behaviors simultaneously. For instance, if you’re trying to stop vaping and playing video games, I Am Sober can help you track your recovery from both. Members using the free version can add two addictions, and those with an I Am Sober Plus subscription can add up to ten.
Identifying Patterns
I Am Sober is a terrific app for those hoping to identify patterns associated with their addiction. Each day, the app asks you if you remained sober, your mood, and what you were doing throughout your day. There’s also a notetaking space for journal-like entries at the end of each self-assessment questionnaire. These tracking features can help members learn more about themselves and what behaviors, thoughts, and emotions spark cravings or lead to relapses.
Who May Want an Alternative to I Am Sober?
While I Am Sober provides many helpful tools to support users on their recovery journey, it’s not necessarily the best fit for everyone. Those struggling with mental health issues alongside their addictions or severely struggling with their sobriety can benefit from more intensive recovery treatments. Users who want access to live virtual meetings may also want an alternative.
Need More Support
An app can be a helpful tool for monitoring sobriety and staying motivated. However, some people may need a more intensive treatment program, especially if they’re struggling with sobriety, managing mental health issues alongside their addiction, or facing the potential dangers of withdrawals. If possible, it’s highly recommended to reach out to a therapist that can provide more support and customize a treatment program specifically for you. Using our online therapist directory, you can find a therapist specializing in addiction in your area.
Want Live Virtual Meetings
Those in recovery can benefit significantly from attending virtual meetings. The community message boards in I Am Sober are helpful, but users may need that live connection to express themselves and share experiences vocally rather than through text. If you’re interested in participating in meetings via Zoom that connects you with other members in recovery, the WeConnect app may be a better option. WeConnect offers free virtual meetings multiple times daily between 7 am and 11 pm.
To learn more, check out our in-depth review of WeConnect.
What Users Are Saying About the I Am Sober Recovery App
The I Am Sober app has 4.9 out of 5 stars from 98.8K reviewers in the Apple App Store and 4.8 out of 5 stars from 68.2K reviewers in the Google Play Store. Users love that the free version has no annoying ads and that the app tracks progress. However, many long-term users noted that the “Motivational Packs” lose their effectiveness when they start repeating.
No Annoying Ads with Free Version
Those that use their fair share of free apps know that ads are typically a part of the deal. That’s probably why so many reviewers of I Am Sober expressed their appreciation for a free app that doesn’t push annoying and distracting ads. I was also pleasantly surprised to experience an app that not only offers a substantial amount of tools and free content but also has no advertisements.
Tracks Progress
Many users stated that the I Am Sober “Progress” section played a critical role in their recovery. Getting up every day, making the pledge, and seeing things like days/hours/minutes sober or time and money saved gave them reasons to celebrate. Seeing sober days add up can be incredibly motivating when quitting an addiction.
Limited Library of Motivational Packs
Several reviewers mentioned that the motivational packs are a great perk of the I Am Sober app, but unfortunately, the library of themed motivational messages is limited, so some packs inevitably end up repeating. While this can seem insignificant, it’s important to remember that many in recovery rely on inspirational quotes and meaningful messages to get through the day. Many users noted that receiving reproduced motivational packs can be somewhat discouraging.
How Much Does the I Am Sober App Cost?
I Am Sober has a basic free version and a premium version called I Am Sober Plus. Sober Plus costs $9.99 monthly or $119.88 annually. The annual subscription is currently discounted to $39.99 and includes a seven-day free trial.
I Am Sober Free Membership
I Am Sober offers an impressive free version that provides many tools and resources without ads. Users have access to all of the main menu features, which are “Progress,” “Today,” “Community,” and “Motivation.” The free version also allows you to join as many invite-only private groups as you’d like, but you need to pay for a subscription to create a private group. While the free version doesn’t include all options or activities in each section, there’s still enough to work with to get you started on your recovery journey.
I Am Sober Plus Subscription
I Am Sober Plus costs $9.99 monthly or $119.88 annually. The annual subscription is currently discounted to $39.99 and includes a seven-day free trial. Sober Plus unlocks all workbook activities, challenges, and motivational packs. It allows users to monitor up to 10 addictions through the app. Sober Plus members can also create a private, invite-only support network with up to 25 people.
I Am Sober Discounts
I Am Sober is currently offering a discount of $39.99 for an annual plan that typically costs $119.88. Users can also get 20% off when registering for a therapist with Better Help through the I Am Sober app.
I Am Sober Key Features
I Am Sober is an addiction support app that tracks progress, sends motivational messages, and connects users to a community of people struggling with the same addiction. The basic version of I Am Sober is free to members. I Am Sober Plus costs $9.99 monthly or $119.88 annually. The annual subscription is currently discounted to $39.99 and includes a seven-day free trial.
How To Get Started With I Am Sober
You can download I Am Sober through the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or by visiting the I Am Sober website.
Once you download the app, follow these steps to get started:
- Click on the “Get Started” tab
- Enter the addiction that you’d like to get sober from
- Choose a “Sober Start Date”
- Enter the reason why you’d like to get sober
- Enter the day/night times you’d like to take your daily sobriety pledge
- Begin exploring the app tools
Workbook Activities
I Am Sober’s workbook activities are undoubtedly noteworthy because they cover a wide range of self-reflective and therapeutic topics that are vital to recovery. Some of the workbook activity themes are “Learning from Your Past,” “Improving Your Environment,” and “Establishing Your Values.” Working on a few of these activities made me evaluate corners of life that I may not necessarily think about without the guidance of a therapist. Questions like “Did you grow up in an atmosphere with drugs and alcohol? How do you think this affected you then and now?” can really help someone who hasn’t considered the roots of their addiction and how they can contribute to present challenges. Many of the workbook activities are free, but you must pay for I Am Sober Plus to unlock all of them.
Daily Check-in for Identifying Triggers & Patterns
The I Am Sober app has a “History” sub-section, found under the “Today” tab, that helps users examine their addiction by identifying patterns and triggers. When you click on a date, the app will ask you a series of questions about how that day went. It starts by asking if you stayed sober, then goes on to ask how you felt and what you were doing throughout the day with choices like “Exercise,” “Work,” and “Family.” There’s also an open-note section at the end to write thoughts or feelings about what happened that day. Completing these journal-like exercises can help users pinpoint behaviors, feelings, environments, or people that may contribute to their addiction. Daily check-ins under the “History” section are available in the free and premium versions.
Community Message Boards
The community message board might be the best feature of I Am Sober. One of the cornerstones of recovery is that you don’t have to go through it alone, so connecting with others is crucial. The “Community” tab brings you to a message board with other members sharing your specific addiction and milestone date. If you’re 30 days clean from drugs, I Am Sober allows you to communicate with others who have also been off of drugs for 30 days. The community feature only allows you to access a message board with those sharing your addiction; however, the milestone is changeable. You can set it to “Day 1,” even if you’ve been sober for 30 days. I think this is a great option because you can jump ahead to see how someone sober for 60 days is handling recovery or leave inspiring comments to those on day one. Community message boards are free, but you must purchase a Sober Plus plan to create a private support network.
I Am Sober Plus – Private Support Networks
I Am Sober Plus’s key feature is the ability to create a private support network. You can join any of these invite-only networks with the free version, but you must pay for a subscription to create one and invite others. Private groups can hold up to 25 people, and you can only create one support network per subscriber. If you choose to accept an invitation to a private group, the members will have access to some of your private data. Your group members will be able to see your addiction, sober start date, daily pledges, and when you reach milestones. The goal of the private support network is to get sober together and hold each other accountable.
I Am Sober Vs. Competitors
Below are two brief comparative summaries of I Am Sober and its competitors. These head-to-head comparisons can help you learn about similar apps so you can choose the right one for you.
I Am Sober Vs. Reframe
I Am Sober and Reframe both provide motivational tools and community support, but they have very different objectives. First, I Am Sober can be used as an aid to quit a wide range of addictions, while Reframe focuses solely on alcohol. In addition, Reframe developers make it clear that their purpose is to help people change their relationship with drinking, and it should not be used to treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). I Am Sober aims to provide support throughout recovery for those wanting to stay sober. Reframe is for users who simply want to cut back on drinking.
Reframe costs $13.99 monthly and is only available through Apple. Members get access to a structured 160-day program that involves educational activities, support groups, meditations, and gamification techniques to transform drinking habits. Reframe would be a great choice for those who do not consider their relationship with alcohol to be an addiction, but feel that it may be unhealthy. I Am Sober is a better option for those who are struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder and intend to stick to their sobriety.
I am Sober Vs. Loosid
Loosid is another app classified in the same addiction recovery category as I Am Sober, but they have some stark differences. The most glaring difference is that Loosid is also a dating app, while I Am Sober discourages members from using the app to meet potential partners. Loosid considers itself a “social sober network” where you can meet other people in your area that are trying to remain sober. When you create an account, it will ask you if you’re interested in finding a sober community or finding a sober date.
Loosid is free to join, and it’s easy to sign-up and immediately start connecting with people in your area that are also trying to stay sober. A Loosid premium version costs $12.99 monthly and includes S.A.M, a Sobriety and Addiction Mentor, an AI configuration that tracks your progress and motivates you to stay sober. Loosid is a great resource if you’re looking for a sober support system within your local community, but I Am Sober is a better choice for those who want to explore the root of their addiction through activities and receive support through a virtual community connection.
History of I Am Sober
Andrew Murray, Founder and CEO of I Am Sober, built the app in 2018 in Seattle, WA, to help improve lives through sobriety. I Am Sober was named one of the best sobriety apps in 2023 in Bustle and promoted in the New York Times as a mental health resource throughout the pandemic. 1,2
I Am Sober Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Cancel My I Am Sober Subscription?
For Apple users, you can cancel your I Am Sober subscription by going to Settings and tapping on your Apple ID at the top of your phone. From there, you tap ‘Subscriptions’ and select the I Am Sober tab. Then click ‘Cancel Subscription.’
For Android users, open the Google Play app and tap on your profile icon at the top right. From there, you tap Payments & Subscriptions, then Subscriptions. Select the I Am Sober app and tap ‘Cancel Subscription.’
Does I Am Sober Offer Refunds?
I Am Sober does not offer refunds, but they recommend reaching out to customer service through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store if you feel you were unfairly charged for the app.
Please see the I Am Sober Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to learn more.
Final Verdict
Overall, the I Am Sober app can be a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to quit an addiction. The community message boards and sobriety-tracking tools are extremely helpful on the road to recovery. I Am Sober provides a safe platform for users to connect with members going through similar experiences, which creates a welcoming and empathetic environment for anyone who might feel alone or misunderstood while in recovery.
However, I wouldn’t recommend purchasing the I Am Sober Plus premium version right away. Giving yourself time with the free version can help you learn if the app is right for you and allow you to make new connections that might lead to the creation of a private group. If you’ve used the free version for a while and it sparks an interest in creating a personal support network, subscribing to Sober Plus makes sense.
