Are you an NZ-based healthcare provider? Did you know we have a whole section on Healthify just for you, to assist in improving healthcare planning, delivery and outcomes?

Alcohol and Drug Support course – Getting back on track (Just a Thought)

An online course for people with addictions who have recently lapsed or relapsed back into harmful use and are willing to try and get things back on track.
This course is one of 3 designed to support people struggling with addiction and tailored to where they are in their recovery journey.

Alcohol and Drug Support – Getting back on track	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 – Getting back on track' course is one of 3 courses designed to support people struggling with addiction. The courses are tailored to where you are in your recovery journey. 'Getting back on track' is designed for people who are wanting to get their lives back on track after experiencing a lapse or relapse with substance use. There are six ‘lessons’ in the course, which include:

Getting into the right headspace.
Identifying triggers.
Connecting to what matters.
Coping with distress.
Working through 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's a story that you can relate to. In addition to these 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 helps to personalise the course. The course recommends taking 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 also 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: 'Just a Thought: Alcohol and Drug Support – Getting back on track' is a free, online, NZ–based programme designed for people who have experienced a lapse or relapse in substance use and want to regain stability. The 6 course ‘lessons’ cover topics such as preparing mentally, identifying triggers, coping with distress, problem-solving, and planning for the future. Lessons feature lived-experience guides sharing personal recovery stories, educational animations, and interactive worksheets to help you reflect and personalise your learning. Progress can be saved and, if desired, monitored by a health practitioner. The programme is evidence-based, uses clear and accessible language, and includes additional self-care and community resource links.

This course helps you better understand your addictive behaviour and learn why slip-ups or relapses happen, and how to respond to them in a healthy way. You can also hear real-life stories from others who have been through similar experiences and learn how they handled them. This helps you see that stress and life’s challenges are normal, and gives you tools to deal with these challenges without falling back into old habits. You also get a chance to think about what really matters to you, use that as motivation to change, set goals, and make a plan for lasting change.
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.