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15 Addiction Recovery Apps Worth Downloading
We spoke with a few of our substance use & mental health counselors to gather recommendations on apps for addiction recovery, self-care, mediation, sleep and more. Here are some of our favorite apps to aid you on your recovery journey.
Support in Making Changes
SuperBetter
Self-improvement through setting and working towards goals, made to feel like playing a game.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
7 Cups
Chat with and get support from others, do mindfulness exercises, watch informative videos
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
What’s Up?
This app has a grounding game, a journal, info about unhelpful thinking patterns and tips for how to counteract them.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
Sober Sidekick
A sober social network and support system to stop substance use. Track days since last use, connect with others, 24/7 AA and NA meetings.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
PTSD Coach
Designed by the VA for folks with PTSD though you can benefit from it even without that diagnosis. Lots of good info about symptoms of PTSD and ways to track symptoms. Resources for getting help. Click the symptom you’re experiencing, rate your level of intensity, and complete the exercise offered or you can search the “tools” and choose what exercise you’d like to do.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
Self-Care and Coping Skill Games
#SelfCare
Bring about a sense of calm and ease by interacting with this app that plays like a game. The more you do in the app the more activities you unlock.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
Mood Tracker Self-Care Balance
Track mood, habits, hobbies. You have a pet penguin and as you take care of yourself you’re also taking care of them which can be extra motivation for when you’re feeling stuck.
I Am Sober
In this app, you plug in what you’re getting sober from (a huge list to choose from including all the substances but also things like bread, sugar, caffeine, purging, self-harm) and your sober date. You can track how long you’ve been sober and how much money you’ve saved by not spending it on a substance. You can set a reminder to make a pledge each day to remain sober and can chat with others.
Finch
By taking care of yourself you take care of your pet bird. You can answer journal prompts, listen to rain, send “supervibes” to friends via text, and set wellness or kindness goals for yourself.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
Gratitude & Mood Trackers
Grid Diary
A prompted journaling app. Choose a few questions to answer each day to track your mood, gratitude, habits, etc.
Presently: A Gratitude Journal
This is a very basic daily gratitude journal, a quote pops up when you open the app and you can set a reminder to prompt you to complete your gratitude entry for the day.
Daylio
Provides an easy way to track moods, hobbies, and activities. The more you fill out, the easier it becomes to track moods over time and notice patterns.
Meditation
Insight Timer
Guided meditations and a meditation timer, talks led by teachers and practitioners in various fields, yoga, breathwork, and music. Join groups where you can connect with and interact with folks from all over. There are also offerings available in real time with the teachers, like a live yoga classes, talk, musical performances, or meditation.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
Shine
Shine is a mindfulness app designed by and for people of color. You can listen to meditations, answer check in prompts, and interact with others. A wide range of helpful meditation topics including Introductory Skills, Black Mental Health, Latinx Mental Health, Improving Sleep, Finding Joy, etc. Free and paid offerings.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
Evolve
is a mindfulness app for LGBTQ+ people. Evolve has free and paid offerings, the free offerings include breathing, wellness tips, journaling, meditation.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
BetterSleep
Sounds, music, meditations, stories, and breathwork for deeper sleep. You can create your own bedtime song by layering various sounds and music.
Download via Google Play. | Download via Apple.
View a list of other addiction and recovery resources.
About SouthLight Healthcare:
Founded in 1970, SouthLight Healthcare is one of the area’s largest nonprofit providers of substance use treatment and mental health services. SouthLight partners with individuals and communities to provide innovative treatment solutions delivered with compassion and dignity. With outpatient and community-based programs, SouthLight provides prevention, education, and treatment services in the Triangle and beyond. Call 919-787-6131 for help or more information or visit www.southlight.org.