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Alcohol and Drug Support course – Thinking about change (Just a Thought)

An online course for people with addictions who are contemplating making change and needing some motivation and encouragement to begin taking steps towards recovery.

Alcohol and Drug Support – Thinking about change course	By Just A Thought
	Features Interactive worksheets to personalise the lesson experience. Information sheets (PDF) that can be downloaded and printed. Progress that can be monitored. Save as you go option which gives you flexibility to choose how long you engage in the programme at any one time.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes – if chosen, you can complete mental health screens which are saved and can be sent through to a health support person. Require a login? Yes Have password protection? Yes Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	Contains no ads.
How to access the course	(external link)

The 'Alcohol and Drug Support – Thinking about change' course is one of 3 online courses set up to help people who are struggling with addiction, depending on where you are in your journey towards recovery. The 'Thinking about change' course is intended for people who are contemplating making change and perhaps needing some motivation and encouragement to begin taking steps towards recovery. The purpose of the course is to help you reflect on your substance use, understand how it affects your life, gain clarity on what matters to you, and explore the options available if you choose to make changes.

There are six ‘lessons’ in the course.

Why we use substances.
When substances cause harm.
Making change easier.
The benefits of change.
Making a decision.
Building a plan.

Each lesson includes video discussion from 'lived experience guides'. These guides are people in recovery themselves, sharing openly from their own life stories. They represent a wide variety of backgrounds and so hopefully there is a story that you can relate to.

In addition to the videos there are animated videos which provide education relevant to each lesson. There are also slides and worksheets to work through which encourage you to reflect on your own journey and help to personalise the course.

It's recommended that you take a week to complete each part (6 weeks in total), however, you can go at your own pace and save your progress as you go. You can work through the course with the support of a health practitioner and your progress can be monitored if you so choose.

For the complete course description, go to the course website(external link).

PROS	CONS
✔ Good source of accurate information about addictions and the lessons incorporate a clear evidence-based treatment approach. ✔ Good range of information modalities including videos, animations and slides. ✔ Clear definitions and easy-to-understand language. ✔ Effective graphics. ✔ Shared stories from others in recovery which you can hopefully identify with and which provide a more personalised experience. ✔ Able to complete the course with the support of a health practitioner and have them directly monitor your progress. ✔ Free. ✔ Access to additional self-care resources in each lesson. ✔ Access to information about relevant community resources and support for substance harm.	✘ Content may feel overwhelming without a health support person to oversee your progress.

PROS

CONS

✔ Good source of accurate information about addictions and the lessons incorporate a clear evidence-based treatment approach.

✔ Good range of information modalities including videos, animations and slides.

✔ Clear definitions and easy-to-understand language.

✔ Effective graphics.

✔ Shared stories from others in recovery which you can hopefully identify with and which provide a more personalised experience.

✔ Able to complete the course with the support of a health practitioner and have them directly monitor your progress.

✔ Free.

✔ Access to additional self-care resources in each lesson.

✔ Access to information about relevant community resources and support for substance harm.

✘ Content may feel overwhelming without a health support person to oversee your progress.

Clinical review

Reviewer: David Bloore, Clinical Psychologist, David Bloore Psychology Ltd (private practice)
Date of review: August 2025
Platform: Online programme – not available via app
Comments: 'Alcohol and drug support – Thinking about change' from Just a Thought is a free, New Zealand-based online programme designed to support individuals who are contemplating change in their substance use. Developed with a clear, evidence-based approach, the 6-lesson course offers video content, animations, and interactive worksheets to help you reflect on your substance use, understand its impacts, and explore steps toward recovery. Lived experience guides share their stories throughout the course, creating a relatable and supportive learning environment. The course can be used with the support of a health professional and allows for flexible pacing. It offers features like progress tracking, downloadable resources, and privacy protections. It's highly relevant for New Zealanders and I rate it 5/5 for its content, accessibility, and therapeutic value.
Safety concerns: None, however you may want to seek the support of an experienced health/mental health practitioner before starting a programme like this, especially if you're experiencing significant health or mental health complications as a result of your substance use.
New Zealand relevance: Yes.

Alcohol topics
Addiction
Alcohol use apps
Just a Thought courses
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app

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