The Best Alcoholism Apps of 2016 ~ Health Tips

We’ve selected these apps based on their quality, user reviews, and overall reliability as a source of support for people who suffer with alcohol dependency. If you want to nominate an app for this list, email us at nominations@healthline.com.

While treatment for addiction can feel lonely, the truth of the matter is, you are far from alone. Approximately 7 percent of adults in the United States, or about 17 million people, suffer from an alcohol use disorder, of which alcoholism is one.

Staying sober, or even just getting a handle on how much you drink per day, requires strength as well as reliable forms of support. Though treating addiction is a complex process, these apps can be great resources.

12 Steps AA Companion

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most popular recovery programs for alcoholics. This app is based on their 12-step program, where each step represents a milestone or achievement in your recovery. You get the complete Big Book AA reference guide along with daily prayers and a sobriety calculator to help you track the length of time you’ve remained sober.

AlcoDroid Alcohol Tracker

The AlcoDroid Alcohol Tracker is designed to help you monitor and track your alcohol consumption. It also estimates your blood alcohol level based on your personal inputs. While we wouldn’t recommend using it to decide whether or not to get behind the wheel, it can help you track how much you’re indulging and help you make a decision about whether or not you have a problem. There’s also a cost estimator, which shows you how much your drinking is costing you.

Coach.me

While this app wasn’t developed specifically for alcohol problems, Coach.me could be very useful in helping you set and achieve your abstinence goals. Whether it’s limiting the number of drinks you have, quitting entirely, or attending two AA meetings a week, Coach.me will help you celebrate your milestones and make you feel proud of every step you make toward recovery.

Happify

For many alcoholics, drinking is an escape from loneliness, depression, or stress. Happify is designed to help you change your moods so you’re not driven to destructive coping behaviors. You’ll get access to guided audio recordings designed to conquer negative thinking, build confidence, destress, and more. A graph will map your overall levels of happiness and satisfaction as you continue to use it.

I Am Sober

Every day you go without a drink is a reason to feel good about yourself. I Am Sober puts sobriety tracking front and center, with daily and weekly milestones. Plus, every time you log in, you’ll see how much money you’re saving by staying sober. We like the community feature of this app that allows you to reach out and talk with people going through similar battles. The app also sends inspirational quotes as notifications, so that you can get a sense of empowerment just by looking at your phone.

My Daily Journal

When you’re struggling with addiction, your deepest thoughts and feelings often need a place to go. Getting them written down can be extremely cathartic, no matter what your struggles and triumphs, because you can say what you want without fear of judgment or reproach. You can add photos to your entries, back them up as PDFs, and if you wish, share them on Twitter, Facebook, or via email.

SoberTool

SoberTool is a comprehensive app that combines the features of many apps on our list. You get a sobriety tracker, a dollars saved calculator, motivational messages, and even help finding local AA meetings. The app’s greatest tool, perhaps, is its ability to help you identify the best relapse prevention resources through just a series of simple questions.

Sobriety Counter

This app is perfect for people who like to keep things simple and to the point. You can track your days sober with ease and take photos of each new token. You can call your sponsor with one tap, and admit falling off the wagon without judgment by simply clicking “Oops” and restarting your counter.

Stop Drinking with Andrew Johnson

To call an alcoholic’s cravings intense would be a major understatement. This is an addiction, not just a bad habit. The Stop Drinking with Andrew Johnson app is designed to help people with a drinking problem conquer those intense cravings. Along with helpful positive messaging, there are tools to for relaxation and hypnotherapy. You can set it up to remind you throughout the day, or check in when you need help winding down.

Twenty-Four Hours a Day

The “Twenty-Four Hours a Day” book has been helping people get sober for over half a century. These days, Richmond Walker’s thoughts and meditations are all accessible on this app. It features daily meditations and the ability to search through all 366 entries. You can also share the messages with friends and family. This app might be especially useful for Christians, as prayer is central to many of the teachings.

Health Tips

Thursday, December 1, 2016