Alcohol use apps

Alcohol use apps

  • There are a variety of apps that enable you to drink less and promote smart and responsible drinking. They can help you monitor and lower your alcohol consumption.
  • Alcohol use apps are only suitable for people drinking at increasing or higher risk levels, but not with severe alcohol use disorder or dependence on alcohol, who require much more intensive support.
  • Find out more about alcohol use apps.
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Alcohol is an addictive toxin and intoxicant, found in beer, wine and spirits. An addictive substance means that you find it hard to stop taking it once you have started. Toxin means it is poisonous to the human body in large amounts. Intoxicant means it causes intoxication or an altered state. Even when drinking within low-risk limits, a range of factors can affect your level of risk, including the rate of drinking, your body type or genetic makeup, your gender, existing health problems and whether you are young or an older person. Read more about alcohol.

There are a variety of apps to help you reduce alcohol use. They can help you:

  • learn more about alcohol harm and reducing intake through educational resources, tips, and strategies for cutting back on drinking
  • keep track of your consumption by logging each drink, so you become more aware of how much you're drinking, and get insights into your drinking habits and trends over time
  • set goals based on the number of drinks per day or week, total alcohol intake, or specific drinking behaviors you want to change
  • feel supported such as daily reminders, motivational messages, and access to a community of others who are also trying to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Before choosing an app, think about how it will benefit you and what you want it to be able to do.

  • An app will only be helpful if you use it, so it needs to be something you like using and find easy to use.
  • If you find the app difficult to use, or you don't like the imagery or look of it, or the language it uses, you may want to find another one that suits you better.
  • For more guidance on how to choose health apps, see How to choose a health app.
App Features Clinical review

DrinkControl

  • Alcohol use tracking.
  • Graphs and reports for sharing.
  • Cost and calorie calculator.
  • Available from Google Play and Apple store.
  • Cost: Free .
  • Read more about DrinkControl
4 star review

AlcoDroid Alcohol Tracker

  • Alcohol use tracking.
  • Graphs and reports for sharing.
  • Education and information.
  • Cost calculator.
  • Available from Google Play.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Read more about AlcoDroid Alcohol Tracker.
4 star review

Sobriety Counter – Stop Drinking (EasyQuit)


  • Goal setting.
  • Tracking.
  • Calculator (money saved from not drinking).
  • App community via Facebook.
  • Data exports.
  • Diary (paid version).
  • Available from Google Play and Apple Store.
  • Cost: Free (basic); Paid upgrade.
  • Read more about Sobriety Counter -Stop Drinking.
4.5 star review

VetChange

  • Goal setting.
  • Tracking.
  • Graphs and reporting.
  • Counter.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Read more about VetChange.
4.5 star review

References

  1. Colbert S, Thornton L, Richmond R. Smartphone apps for managing alcohol consumption: a literature review(external link). Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2020 May 7;15(1):17

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify Editorial Team

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