We are currently living in a digital age, where there is infinite information available at our fingertips. At times, this technology can actually worsen our mood or lead to potential triggers. Social media, for example, has the ability to be a supportive influence or a comparison game. Even your contact list straddles the line between helpful and hurtful. You can use it to access a peer helpline or the number of someones who knew you when you were using. When you harness the power of technology for good, you’ll benefit from recovery apps, wellness tips, and more right at your fingertips.
Recovery & Mindfulness Apps
If you can think of it, there’s an app for it! There have been many recovery and mindfulness apps developed to help people in their wellness and sobriety journey. We have identified several key ones that can support your recovery process in things like building social networks, expanding addiction awareness and knowledge, becoming more mindful, and getting better sleep.
Keep reading our digital wellness tips to explore what you might want to download next on your device. Remember that though recovery apps can be incredibly helpful in supporting recovery goals, they do not replace substance use disorder treatment such as our intensive outpatient program in Elk Grove, CA.
Sobriety Help
I am Sober
This app features a sobriety counter which allows you to track how much you are saving financially by quitting. Its features include ways to track new habits you are trying to form as well as an area to put your “why” with journaling and photos to motivate you in your recovery.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
SoberTool
Developed by a Havard-educated drug and alcohol counselor, this app was made to help when cravings strike. You are able to type in one word of how you are feeling, and it will guide you to tools that will help. It uses cognitive behavioral and stress reduction techniques to help deal with cravings at the moment. The app also provides daily motivation for recovery.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Recovery Apps for Daily Reflections
12 Step Meditation Daily Reflections
Have access to guided meditations based on both AA and NA step work as well as music, prayers, and recovery information. This is a great way to have access to daily encouragement, especially if you don’t have time to go to a meeting. The free version has 20 meditations, and a subscription offers access to more content.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free, Subscription $3.99 a month
Inspirational Reading & Wellness Tips
Recovery Magazine Today
This magazine has been created for people in long-term recovery or early in their sobriety. The goal is to show how to gain your life back in sobriety with articles from celebrities and professionals offering hope and sharing tools and wellness tips that work. This is available in an app or digital download.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Building Social Networks
SoberGrid
This is a social networking app specifically designed for people in recovery. You are able to post about your own story while also giving encouragement to others. It also includes a feature in which you are able to find people near you who are sober.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free or $3.99 monthly subscription, which includes peer coaching
Sober Peer
This recovery app provides direct contact to peer coaching right from your home. It offers a variety of tools such as therapeutic information, small groups, and a virtual community. The app offers one free session to try, though there are additional costs to be involved long-term in this community.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: First session free; plans start from $1 a day.
Mindfulness Tools
Insight Timer
Insight Timer has a huge library of content: over 80,000 free guided meditations from over 10,000 teachers on topics like stress, relationships, healing, sleep, creativity, and more.
Right from the beginning, the app feels like a global community—the world map on the home screen shows a collective of 18 million meditators, and announces, “741k today, 7k now.” After you finish a meditation, you’ll learn exactly how many people were meditating “with you” during that time—and by setting your location, you can even see meditators nearby and what tracks they’re listening to.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind hits the sweet spot for a free mindfulness app in so many ways.
The not-for-profit app features hundreds of meditations, enough to keep you engaged without overwhelming you with choices. They are organized into structured programs like Mindful Foundations (35 sessions), Sleep (6 sessions), Digital Detox (8 sessions), and Stress Management (10 sessions), but you have the flexibility to choose where to start and to easily jump between programs. Most meditations are in the five- to the fifteen-minute range, with a few practices up to 45 minutes for advanced meditators.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
iBreathe
Simplicity is key with this breathing tool app. Through this, you are able to learn the benefits of deep breathing, and it guides you through deep breathing exercises. The interface is clean, and it can integrate with Apple Health.
Platform: iOS
Price: Free
Getting a Good Night Sleep
Sleep Cycle
Learn more about your sleep by downloading this app. The free version offers a daily sleep graph and analysis of when the best time for your wake-up window would be. This will help optimize your rest which is essential for recovery.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free or Premium subscription $49.44 per year
SagePoint IOP wants to provide access to wellness tips in the most doable ways possible. It is possible to use technology wisely and have recovery apps as a resource in your treatment plan. We hope you have found at least one new app that can help you in your journey. We do acknowledge that nothing replaces professional help, though. If you or a loved one is living with addiction, please reach out today to learn more about our intensive outpatient treatment in Elk Grove, CA.