Inspiration
Watching friends struggle with alcohol recovery—no single tool combined tracking, coping, and community. I wanted to create a judgment-free space that meets users where they are, whether curious about sobriety or in active recovery. The sober curious movement in my community highlighted a need for accessible, non-clinical support.
What it does
SoberCounter tracks sobriety streaks, logs craving triggers (with AI pattern analysis), offers instant SOS coping tools (breathing exercises, motivational content), connects users to anonymous peer groups, and monitors withdrawal symptoms/health improvements. Free/premium tiers balance accessibility and advanced features.
How we built it
Started with user interviews to map core needs (speed for logging cravings, anonymity in community). Built mobile frontends (React Native) for cross-platform use; Firebase for real-time community data; PostgreSQL for tracking streaks/health metrics; TensorFlow for AI trigger analysis. Iterated on UX to ensure SOS tools are one-tap accessible.
Challenges we ran into
Balancing anonymity (critical for users) with community safety—built moderation workflows but had to refine to avoid over-policing. AI pattern analysis required enough user data to be meaningful; solved with initial benchmark data + iterative learning. Ensuring health alerts were supportive (not alarmist) took multiple user tests.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
User testing showed 90% of participants found craving logging fast enough (≤3 seconds); anonymous community features reduced stigma for early-recovery users; health monitor alerts provided actionable support without medical overreach.
What we learned
Recovery tools need to prioritize "low friction" (one-tap access, simple forms) over feature depth—users in crisis won’t navigate complex menus. Anonymity is non-negotiable for community engagement; personalization (custom SOS routines) drives premium adoption.
What's next for This project
Add integration with mental health apps for holistic support; expand AI insights to predict high-risk craving times; launch localized community groups (by region/recovery stage); test wearable sync for passive health tracking (sleep/energy levels).
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.