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DrinkControl app

An app for anyone wanting to keep track of how much alcohol they drink and how often.
You can also calculate the financial cost of your drinking and the calorie content of your drinks.

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DrinkControl app	By E-protect
	Features Alcohol-use tracking. Graphs and reports for sharing. Cost and calorie calculator. Sync with Apple Health. Reminders (paid version). Data exports (paid version).
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? No 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 (basic); Paid upgrade. Premium version available via subscription monthly, yearly or lifetime use.
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

The DrinkControl app helps you keep track of the type of alcohol you consume, how much you drink and how often. It uses a drinks' diary to log your drinks and a chart function to see your drinking habits in the past 24 hours, 7 days and 30 days, and whether you've reached binge drinking level. The app has motivational features – it helps you calculate the financial cost of your drinking. You can also learn about the caloric values of the alcoholic beverages in graph and picture formats. The conversion of alcohol into calories is an additional helpful tool to encourage you to reduce your alcohol consumption.

For a more detailed description of the app, see the app website(external link), iTunes(external link) and, for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Easy to use. ✔ You can change the app icon, which helps with confidentiality. ✔ Good use of graphs and infographics to show data. ✔ Shows the caloric value of alcoholic drinks. ✔ Helpful list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).	✘ The definition of a unit of alcohol is only the same as in New Zealand if the WHO definition is selected. New Zealand users will not necessarily know to select the WHO settings. ✘ Only available on Apple devices.

PROS

CONS

✔ Easy to use.

✔ You can change the app icon, which helps with confidentiality.

✔ Good use of graphs and infographics to show data.

✔ Shows the caloric value of alcoholic drinks.

✔ Helpful list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

✘ The definition of a unit of alcohol is only the same as in New Zealand if the WHO definition is selected. New Zealand users will not necessarily know to select the WHO settings.

✘ Only available on Apple devices.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Dr Roland Meyer, General Medicine specialist
Date of review: 15 November 2024
Version: 5.9.8
Platform: Apple
Comments: The DrinkControl app offers easy tracking of alcohol consumption. It provides useful insight into the potential health harm of alcohol consumption. You can learn about the pattern of your alcohol intake, the alcohol content of your beverages (in units) and how this fits with recommended amounts as per guidelines from other countries (non-New Zealand guidelines).

You'll also learn the financial costs and caloric values of your alcoholic beverages in graph and picture formats. The conversion of alcohol into calories is an additional helpful tool to reduce consumption.

Overall, the app is easy to use, with no ads or forced links.
Safety concerns: Aotearoa New Zealand users may be misled about how many units they're drinking, and whether their intake is within recommended guidelines, if they select the incorrect regions within the settings. The WHO settings have the same definition for a standard unit of alcohol as New Zealand, but the recommended guidelines differ.
New Zealand relevance: In Aotearoa New Zealand, a standard drink is defined as 10g of ethanol; however, there is no New Zealand region setting in the app. If you select the WHO definition of alcohol units in the settings then the definition is the same as in New Zealand. All other available regions have different definitions of a standard drink, eg, Canada 13.45g, Germany 15g, UK 8g and US 14g. Therefore, it's important for New Zealand users to ensure they select the WHO definition for alcohol consumption. This is the default option when the app is opened. However, even then the recommended alcohol intake thresholds will differ from New Zealand recommendations (the WHO recommended amount is lower).

Alcohol use apps
NZ Health App Library
Alcohol – general information
Diabetes and alcohol
Consumer guide – how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide – how to choose a health app

DrinkControl website(external link)
Interactive tools(external link) Alcohol.org.nz

Reference

Garnett C, Crane D, West R,et al. Identification of behavior change techniques and engagement strategies to design a smartphone app to reduce alcohol consumption using a formal consensus method(external link) JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2015 Jun 29;3(2).

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

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

DrinkControl app