WeConnect is an app designed for those seeking peer support meetings and resources for addiction recovery. Members can attend multiple virtual meetings daily and build self-care routines for free. For $40.00 monthly or $350.00 annually, members can receive additional one-on-one peer support and wellness planning. WeConnect accepts some insurance plans for paid services.
Pros & Cons of the WeConnect Recovery App
WeConnect provides a safe and secure place for members to connect with others in recovery. Multiple meetings are offered daily via Zoom, and they also host specialty meetings designed for specific groups, such as the LGBTQIA+ community and family and loved ones. Unfortunately, it takes some time to learn how to navigate the app, and the subscription cost isn’t initially clear.
How to Sign Up for the WeConnect Recovery App
You can download the WeConnect app through the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or by visiting the WeConnect website.
What Is WeConnect Recovery?
The WeConnect app is designed to help those in recovery find and stay connected with support groups through virtual meetings. The free version of the app has tools that allow users to build self-care routines, like journaling or meditation. For $40.00 monthly or $350.00 annually, members can receive one-on-one peer support and wellness planning. Some insurance plans are accepted for these subscription upgrades.
WeConnect’s most significant feature of its platform is the connectivity and support services for those in recovery. General support meetings are offered from 7 am to 11 pm throughout the day, with specialty meetings for specific groups and topics provided at least once daily. Some specialty meetings include meetings for women, mothers, and the LGBTQIA+ community, and some meetings focus on issues like reducing self-harm or grief support.
All meetings are hosted on Zoom by peer support specialists that provide guidelines, best practices, and themes at the start of each meeting. For instance, they’ll explain when it’s time to share, how it’s important not to judge other members, and guide the conversation toward a topic, like forgiveness or gratitude. To access the virtual meetings, members can click on the “Online” tab at the bottom of the screen, where they’re immediately directed to a list of available daily meetings.
The app also has tools to help members build a daily self-care routine. The tab labeled “My Day” is where you can create a schedule of meetings you’d like to attend and everyday tasks like meditating, exercising, or journaling. The app comes with a pre-made list of self-care tasks, but you can also customize this tool and add your own task. Every time you complete a meeting or a self-care task, it’s tracked on the “Insights” tab. This tab monitors your progress, meeting attendance, and daily login streaks.
Those who pay for the subscription or have accepted health insurance plans can gain access to the one-on-one daily peer support services and wellness plans. Wellness plans include a rewards-based contingency management method — a type of behavioral therapy that uses incentives to help members stay committed to the program. Rewards include digital gift cards to reinforce positive behavior and help members build financial stability.
Who Is WeConnect Recovery Right For?
The WeConnect Recovery app is an incredible resource for attending meetings and getting support through an online community. It’s a great choice for those who prefer virtual meetings, want a safe space to share, or are interested in one-on-one peer support.
Prefer Virtual Meetings
If you prefer to attend recovery support meetings online rather than in person, WeConnect would be a terrific app for you to try. Many people participate in virtual meetings because they’re easy to access, and you’re connected with individuals from all over the world instead of just your local community. Virtual meetings can also be attended anonymously (with the camera and mic off) if you’re not ready to share, but you’d like to hear stories of members with similar experiences.
Safe Space for Sharing
The peer support specialists who host the WeConnect meetings create a comforting and welcoming environment to share. For instance, they’ll remind attendees that not everyone wants feedback, and if you’re going to offer feedback, first ask the speaker for permission before commenting. If you’re looking for a safe, secure, and non-judgmental space to share your experiences of your recovery journey, WeConnect can provide that.
Interested in One-on-One Peer Support
You can access WeConnect’s one-on-one peer support if you upgrade to a subscription plan. Those interested in connecting with a certified support specialist and creating a more structured recovery plan with daily check-ins can benefit significantly from the WeConnect app.
Who May Want an Alternative to WeConnect Recovery?
WeConnect can make it easy to attend daily meetings while in recovery, but some may need to look for an alternative with additional support. Users looking for a more intensive treatment program with licensed therapists or those who only want to focus on quitting drinking may want an alternative.
More Intensive Recovery Treatment Plan
WeConnect provides a platform for meetings and tools to help you schedule healthy routines, but it may not be the best choice for those facing extensive mental health obstacles and struggling through recovery. An app can act as a helpful tool, but if possible, seeing a licensed therapist that specializes in addiction recovery and can design a personalized treatment plan is optimal in these circumstances. To find a licensed therapist that specializes in addiction recovery, you can find one in your area by using an online therapist directory to find in-person care.
Focus Solely on Drinking Habits
The WeConnect app welcomes those in recovery from substance abuse, eating disorders, or other mental health concerns. While it can be beneficial to hear stories and connect with people with a wide range of experiences, some may want to focus solely on cutting back on drinking. If you’d like to focus on changing your drinking habits, you may want to try Reframe. The Reframe app’s program is designed to explore the reasons why you drink and change your relationship with alcohol.
To learn more about this app, you can visit the Reframe website.
What Users Are Saying About the WeConnect Recovery App
WeConnect has 4.8 out of 5 stars from 360 reviews from the Apple App Store and 4.7 out of 5 stars from 680 reviews from the Google Play Store. Many members express gratitude for having easy access to meetings and getting results from the rewards-based contingency management plan. However, some users would like a better calendar system, and Android users reported having issues with the app freezing when trying to check in with peer support.
Love the Easy Access to Meetings
WeConnect’s easy access to meetings is what users love the most about this app. With so many meetings scheduled throughout the day, it’s easy to jump onto a Zoom call and instantly connect to a virtual room with other members sharing personal stories, positive messages, and encouraging words. Many reviewers commented on the meetings being the best part of their day and a vital tool in their recovery. I found the meetings to be incredibly encouraging and positive. Members were respectful and comforting to one another. The meeting times were very convenient, even for those with busy schedules.
Contingency Management Works
Several reviewers that upgraded to the one-on-one peer support and wellness plans cited great results with the incentive-based contingency management plan. Contingency management is a form of behavioral therapy that uses rewards to reinforce positive behavior during recovery. Many stated that the digital gift cards helped them to stay committed to the treatment plan and boost their quality of life.
App Freezes Often
Many Android users stated in their reviews that the app would freeze during registration or when trying to check-in. Since check-ins are necessary to earn rewards and reinforce positive behaviors, they expressed some frustration with these glitches. Thankfully, the WeConnect development team consistently responded to these reviews with troubleshooting tips and customer service contact information.
Wish It Could Sync Up with the Phone’s Calendar
Since so much of WeConnect is about building routines and attending scheduled meetings, quite a few of the reviewers mentioned that they wish that the app’s calendar could sync up with their phone’s calendar to keep track of other appointments associated with treatment plans and the recovery process.
How Much Does the WeConnect Recovery App Cost?
WeConnect has a basic free version and an upgraded version that costs $40.00 monthly or $350.00 annually. WeConnect does accept some forms of insurance for those interested in upgrading.
WeConnect Free Membership
WeConnect’s free membership allows users to schedule and attend unlimited virtual meetings and specialty meetings via Zoom. You can also build a daily self-care schedule with different routines like journaling, meditation, exercise, or chores. It’s important to note that this feature is only used to create a self-care calendar, there are no guided meditations or exercises offered within the app. Members with the basic free version can use the “Insights” tab to track their progress and participation in meetings.
WeConnect Upgraded Subscription
WeConnect offers an upgraded subscription version that costs $40.00 monthly or $350.00 annually, and they accept some forms of insurance for this plan. The upgrade includes all of the tools and resources offered in the basic version, plus access to one-on-one peer support and wellness planning.
WeConnect Discounts with Be Well Texas
WeConnect has partnered with Be Well Texas at UT Health San Antonio. If you’re located in the state of Texas and are interested in utilizing WeConnect at no cost, contact Be Well Texas to see if you qualify.
Does WeConnect Accept Insurance?
WeConnect accepts some insurance plans. You can fill out their insurance eligibility form to see if you qualify.
Out-of-Network Benefits
WeConnect does not currently allow for the use of out-of-network benefits and will not create superbills.
WeConnect Recovery Key Features
The WeConnect app provides some essential features that can aid those in recovery. The free basic version gives members unlimited access to daily meetings and a calendar tool to schedule self-care routines. For $40.00 monthly or $350.00 annually, the upgraded version provides one-on-one peer support and structured wellness plans.
How To Get Started With the WeConnect Recovery App
You can get started with the WeConnect recovery app by downloading it through the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or going to the WeConnect website. To join the free version of WeConnect, you simply enter your name and phone number, and you’re instantly able to build a daily routine and attend meetings.
WeConnect asks new users interested in a paid subscription to enter their insurance information first to see if they’re eligible for the upgrade. If your insurance is not accepted, you can pay out-of-pocket for $40.00 monthly or $350.00 annually.
WeConnect Free Support & Self-Care Routines
Two primary features of the free version of WeConnect are the support and self-care calendars. The daily calendar helps users schedule group meetings they’d like to attend and set specific times for self-care tasks. The app encourages users to make a set schedule to help them stay committed and check off completed tasks and meetings to track their progress. While it took me a bit longer than expected to learn how to add a task and save it to the calendar, once I got the hang of it, I found the “Daily” tab to be a useful tool for sticking to my scheduled chores and meetings.
WeConnect Premium Check-in & Rewards
WeConnect builds its wellness plans around the contingency management approach. Contingency management utilizes an incentive-based behavioral therapy program that rewards users when they check in and exhibit positive behaviors. WeConnect rewards members with digital gift cards, which can directly impact their financial stability and quality of life. Contingency management treatment plans have proven to be incredibly effective in reducing drug use. 1
Get 1:1 Online Peer Support
Members who pay for the upgraded version can access one-on-one online peer support. You’ll be immediately paired with a peer support specialist when you sign up for the upgraded version. Peer support specialists are also the ones who host the general and specialty support meetings every day.
Peer Support Credentials
The certification process for WeConnect peer recovery support specialists varies by state, but overall, the company typically chooses specialists who have completed between 20-100 hours of peer support work, have personal recovery experience, and have training in recovery management and advocacy.
WeConnect Vs. Competitors
While WeConnect is a valuable app to those seeking support throughout recovery, it’s always wise to check out competitors to ensure you’re working with the best app. Here are a few head-to-head comparisons between WeConnect and similar apps.
WeConnect Vs. NA Speaker Tapes & Addiction Recovery Audio
The WeConnect Recovery app and NA Speaker Tapes & Addiction Recovery Audio app both aim to provide support for those in recovery, but they have some significant differences. WeConnect offers more structure, options for one-on-one support, and a platform for attending live meetings with other members. WeConnect is more costly, accepts some forms of insurance, and comes with a notable free version.
The NA Speaker Tapes app is only available on Apple devices. It costs $3.99 monthly, $6.99 quarterly, or lifetime access for $16.99. This app also has a free version, but it’s basically a few hours of free audio recordings of NA speakers. The paid version provides over 100 hours of recorded audio from NA speakers. While there is an impressive amount of content, including NA stories, prayers, meditations, and workshops, there is no live component with the NA speakers app. If you believe your recovery journey should involve live daily meetings, checking in with peer support specialists, and a contingency management treatment plan, WeConnect would be a better option. You learn more about the NA Speaker Tapes app in the Apple App Store.
WeConnect Vs. I Am Sober
WeConnect and I Am Sober are strong competitors in the recovery app market. They both provide tools to help members stay committed and a channel for community connection. However, WeConnect’s community support is shaped around attending meetings, and I Am Sober uses different techniques to help members track progress and connect with others.
The I Am Sober app has a basic free version and a premium version that costs $9.99 monthly or $119.88 annually. There is a seven-day free trial for the purchase of either plan. I Am Sober offers helpful tools to help members track their progress (e.g., days/hours/minutes sober), savings (e.g., money/time/calories), and milestones (e.g.,30 days sober). You can also create groups to share your experiences with through pictures, journal entries, and community boards. I Am Sober also has a “Support” tab that can connect you with a BetterHelp therapist at an additional cost.
If your main focus is to stay connected to others through live meetings, WeConnect is all you need. However, I Am Sober would be a better choice if you’re looking for multiple sober tracking techniques, daily pledges and reminders, and community connection through smaller groups.
History of WeConnect
WeConnect was founded in 2015 by co-founders Murphy Jensen and Daniela Tudor. Jenson and Tudor are both in long-term recovery from substance use disorder. They created the app to help people connect and get the necessary resources to combat addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions About the WeConnect Recovery App
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
No, WeConnect doesn’t accept an FSA or HSA for peer support in their premium version.
How Do I Cancel My WeConnect Subscription?
To cancel your WeConnect subscription, open the app and go to the settings icon at the top of your screen, then click on “Manage My Subscription.” Choose “Change My Subscription” and click “Cancel My Subscription.”
Does WeConnect Offer Refunds?
WeConnect doesn’t list any information about refunds on their support page, but I reached out to the company through the customer support number (888-425-4605) and was immediately connected to a representative. The rep explained that if a member is not satisfied within the first month of their subscription, they must cancel within 48 hours of the monthly subscription renewal to be eligible for a refund. A member must also cancel within the first month to receive a refund if they have purchased an annual plan. If you’d like to personally reach out to the company for more information about refunds, check out WeConnect’s customer service support page.
Is WeConnect HIPPA Compliant?
Yes, WeConnect’s platform is compliant with HIPPA’s standards and guidelines. To learn more, check out WeConnect’s privacy policy and terms of service.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the WeConnect app does precisely what it aims to do — connect those in recovery to daily meetings and make resources, like one-on-one support and wellness treatment plans, easier to access. While there are other sobriety apps out there that are more updated, have better interface designs, and offer more tools, some users just want the basics when it comes to long-term recovery. The WeConnect Recovery app can provide a lot of support with the basic free version, and even more structure with incentive-based treatment plans in the premium version. If you’re just beginning your recovery journey and you want to start attending meetings today, WeConnect is an excellent place to start.
