The standard treatment for alcoholism has changed a lot over the last century. When Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded 
in 1935, it was celebrated as a cutting-edge approach to treating alcoholism. Before AA, many alcoholics had nowhere to go for support other than the hospital, and many doctors who tried to treat alcoholics were only able to help them get over the symptoms of withdrawal–they didn’t know how to help people stay sober.
Today, there are many valid paths toward recovery. There are short- and long-term rehab centers, a variety of secular and non-secular support groups, behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM), and even FDA-approved medications like Antabuse and Vivitrol. All types of recovery programs can be effective. The important thing is to find the one that works for you.
Unfortunately, many people aren’t able to take time away from work, school, or their families to go to rehab. Some are scared to go to a support group because they don’t want to be recognized. Others don’t have the financial resources to go to therapy or a medication-assisted treatment program. And, many people aren’t even sure if they want or need to quit drinking completely–they just want to “dip their toes in” and see what this whole recovery thing is all about.
Well, now there is an app that can be a solution to all of these barriers that stop people from quitting or cutting back on their drinking. The app is called Reframe.
About Reframe: The App That’s Changing The Face of Alcohol Recovery
According to their website, “Reframe is a neuroscience habit change program focused on helping people change the way alcohol shows up in their lives, whether that’s through cutting back or complete abstinence from alcohol.”
Reframe is unlike most other approaches to alcohol recovery. They understand that there are multiple right ways to drink less and change your relationship with alcohol. Their mission is to provide users with the education they need to make better decisions about their drinking–whether that means abstaining from alcohol completely or simply cutting back so people can live healthier, better lives.
Reframe isn’t your standard app, either. Their program is based on scientific research and has an entire scientific board for consulting.
While the app isn’t free like AA and other support groups are, it costs way less than paying for rehab, therapy, or even the copay at your doctor’s office. For just $13.99 a month you can download Reframe on any iOS device and have it with you everywhere you go.
How Does Reframe Work?
As soon as you sign up for the seven-day free trial or pay your monthly subscription fee, you are granted access to Reframe’s 160-day program. The program gives you daily tasks as well as access to a community forum with other users.
Reframe’s app provides several different types of content, including:[1]
- Interactive activities
- Stories from other recovering alcoholics
- Educational tools
- Affirmations
- Games
- Meditations
- Breathing exercises
- Journaling
This content is meant to help you “reframe” the way you think about drinking and teach you ways to distract yourself from alcohol cravings. It incorporates a mix of CBT tools, progress tracking, and personalized support to help you change your drinking habits.[2]
The app even integrates aspects of fitness, nutrition, and self-care into the program–three key aspects that can help you stay sober and be content with your progress in recovery.
As you go through the program, you track your progress as well as how much money you’ve saved on drinking.
How Effective is Reframe?
Measuring the efficacy of something as complex as alcohol use disorder isn’t easy because success isn’t back or white. People in recovery can also measure success differently. Some people consider success to be staying sober entirely, while others consider success to be going from six drinking nights a week to just three.
However, the early data looks quite impressive. Approximately 50% of Reframe’s users initially reported that they wanted to cut back on their drinking–not quit drinking completely. The app’s co-founders noticed that many users end up quitting entirely, though. They say that nearly 49% of users stop drinking alcohol within 30 days of the program.[1]
Even if you don’t have an alcohol problem, Reframe can help you be more mindful of your drinking, and that’s something anyone can benefit from.
“I’ve been using it [Reframe] for several months and it’s awesome! Makes me more mindful of my social drinking habits… especially while trying to lose weight.” -Connie H., Reframe User
Finding The Right Alcohol Recovery Program
Reframe can be a great option for people who don’t want to commit to treatment or therapy as well as those who aren’t quite ready to commit to total abstinence. The convenient and low-cost program can help you be more mindful of your drinking habits and help you develop healthier lifestyle habits.
While Reframe recognizes that everyone’s recovery journey is unique, it may not work for everyone. In the end, successful recovery is all about finding the right program for you.
References:
- https://coe.gatech.edu/news/2021/04/engineering-alumni-create-mobile-app-reduce-alcohol-abuse
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/12/23/2357555/0/en/Reframe-s-Neuroscience-Based-App-Helps-Combat-Alcohol-Abuse.html
