Apps to use this Dry January – to help you track your progress (Pictures: Saynomo.com / iamsober.com / Alcohol Change UK)
It’s the New Year… and for plenty of drinkers across the UK: Dry January.
Yep, thousands (perhaps millions) will be starting 2023 with a month of sobriety, ditching wine and beer for cordials and Coca-Colas.
If you’re interested in giving Dry January a go, but want to see your progress, there are a few apps you can use to help you keep track of how long you’ve gone without a drop of alcohol.
Some can even show you how much money you’ve saved by temporarily binning the booze, if your motivation is more cost of living related than focused on health or weight.
And if you’re doing Dry January in a bid to give it up for good (which studies show it can help with), then apps can track your progress long-term.
Here are a handful of the best apps to consider.
Try Dry
The official app of Dry January is called ‘Try Dry’ (Picture: Alcohol Change UK)
What is it? The official Dry January app from charity Alcohol Change UK.
What features does it have? The app allows you to track three key components of Dry January: units, calories and money.
You’ll be able to see how many units of alcohol you haven’t drank, calories you’ve saved as a result, and the money you’ve pocketed as a result of stopping drinking. You’ll also track the number of days without booze.
There are chart features allowing you to see your progress on all of the above, as well as section called Notes – which lets you capture thoughts, feelings and daily reflections.
You’ll also be able to track your health progress, including the amount of sleep you’re getting, your energy levels, how your mood is, and if you’re having any cravings for alcohol.
You can also take a health quiz, and find tips for staying on the wagon for the full 31 days, or longer if you choose.
How much does it cost? Free
Where to download: Google Play or the App Store
Nomo
What is it? An app with a clock, and other useful features, designed to help you give up alcohol or other habits or addictions, such as smoking.
What features does it have? Nomo is first and foremost a straightforward clock.
It simply counts how many days you’ve stayed away from the booze (or another habit).
For Dry January, you’ll be wanting to hit 31 days alcohol-free, though if you plan to continue you can go on indefinitely.
You can also see how many calories you’ve saved using the alcohol clock, as well as other motivating factors – such as how much time you’ve saved and how much money you’ve kept in your wallet.
More: New Year
If you find them motivating, you can also collect ‘chips’ in the app every time you reach a milestone.
There are plenty of other features in the app, such as Journal for recording your thoughts, Encourage for finding inspiring messages for other users to keep you going, and a range of ‘mini exercises’ to help you Refocus if you feel the urge to stray off course.
How much does it cost? It’s free, but powered by ads. If you’d rather have an ad-free version, you can donate a sum of your choosing to disable ads via the Nomo website.
Where to download: Google Play or the App Store
I Am Sober
A look at I Am Sober’s sobriety tracker (Picture: iamsober.com)
What is it? A tracker that shows you how many days, hours, minutes and seconds you’ve stayed sober, or away from any habit or addiction – as well as recording major milestones.
What features does it have? The main function for casual Dry January users will be the tracker.
It shows you to the second how long you’ve been off the booze, and how much money and time you’ve saved as a result.
For anyone struggling to stay dry, there’s a feature that allows you to make a daily pledge, reminding you why you’re doing this – which includes photos, comments or quotes.
There are also various challenges you can undertake, advice on breaking bad habits via Workbooks, and there’s a community element for keeping in touch with people in the same boat.
How much does it cost? There’s a free basic version to the app, but you do have to pay a monthly subscription to access all features.
Where to download: Google Play or the App Store
For advice on getting help with an alcohol problem, visit Alcohol Change UK’s help and support section. You can also find alcohol support on the NHS website.
MORE : Dry January 2023: Seven new alcohol-free drinks to enjoy sober
MORE : Doing Dry January could help you drink less the rest of the year, studies show
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