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Alcohol and Drug Support course – Taking action (Just a Thought)

An online course for people who are struggling with some aspect of drug or alcohol use or addiction and who are ready and motivated to take steps towards change in their substance use.

Alcohol and Drug Support – Taking action	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 – Taking action' 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 'Taking Action' course is appropriate for people who are ready to make meaningful changes to their substance use. The course provides practical strategies and guided exercises to help develop skills for navigating the challenges of change, understand the thoughts and emotions influencing substance use, and plan for the future. There are six ‘lessons’ in the course, which include:

Setting up for success.
Improving your mindset.
Dealing with distress.
Working with triggers.
Facing life’s challenges.
Planning for the future.

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 the course user can relate to. In addition to the videos there are animated videos which provide education relevant to each lesson. There are also slides/worksheets to work through which encourage participants to reflect on their own journey and helps to personalise the course. The course recommends taking a week to complete each part (6 weeks in total), however patients are able to go at their own pace and save their progress as they go. Participants are able to work through the course with the support of a health practitioner and their progress can be monitored if they 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 – Taking action" is a NZ based free, evidence-based online programme designed for people ready to make meaningful changes to their substance use. Part of a three-course series, the "Taking Action" programme offers six structured lessons covering goal setting, mindset, managing distress, working with triggers, handling life’s challenges, and planning for the future. Lessons combine videos from people with lived experience, animations, and interactive worksheets to personalise the learning process. Participants can progress at their own pace, save work as they go, and optionally involve a health practitioner for support and progress monitoring. The course provides practical strategies, real-life stories, downloadable resources, and links to community support, making it a comprehensive and accessible tool for those seeking recovery.
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

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.