September is National Alcohol Awareness Month, and even though it is over, it is important to build awareness all year long. Of the 140 million alcohol consumers, over 20% admit they struggle with alcohol abuse or addiction, according to NCDAS: Substance Abuse and Addiction Statistics [2023]. Alarmingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 2.6 million deaths per year can be attributed to alcohol consumption. The same report shares that an estimated 400 million people live with alcohol use disorders globally, with approximately 209 million people living with alcohol dependence.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, explains, "To build a healthier, more equitable society, we must urgently commit to bold actions that reduce the negative health and social consequences of alcohol consumption and make treatment for substance use disorders accessible and affordable."
These statistics highlight the urgent need for systemic changes, and they also underscore a deeper, more personal challenge faced by many who struggle with addiction, and that is, addiction is often exacerbated by isolation. Sober Sidekick founder and CEO Chris Thompson shares, "Many people who are struggling with addiction believe they are alone in their fight, and that belief can push them deeper into the cycle."
As National Alcohol Awareness Month and National Recovery Month end and the spotlight is turned in other directions, it's vital to remember that addiction is relentless. "It never stops trying to pull you down. Connection is the key to recovery and sobriety," Thompson explains—a belief he acquired in his own experiences with addiction and the belief that is the foundation for his healthcare engagement tool, Sober Sidekick.
At its core, Sober Sidekick is all about connection and community. "The research shows that connection is one of the crucial factors in reducing the risk of relapse. I experienced that in my journey," asserts Thompson. The technology behind the Sober Sidekick platform is an 'Empathy Algorithm' that encourages and reinforces peer engagement. It is based on the premise that the more someone interacts with others on their sobriety journey, the more likely they are to maintain their progress.
"Our data confirms this. Users who engage in at least five peer interactions within their first month on the app are at the lowest risk of relapse. Our onboarding process is designed to accelerate this engagement, with 12.6% of new members reaching that low-risk category within 36 hours of joining. We see a significant reduction in relapse rate by just getting someone to engage with their peers once," Thompson confirms. "The more connected you are, the less likely you are to relapse."
During the past six months, the app has tracked 53,000 members who have shown a 68% reduction in relapse rates by those actively engaged in using the app. With engagement, the app can predict and prevent relapses before they occur, ensuring timely intervention for those in need.
Thompson's struggles with addiction showed him firsthand the dangers of isolation. His addiction began, like it does for many, as a way to cope with trauma. "I turned to alcohol to solve my problems, and it ended up becoming my only solution," he shares. As he withdrew from those around him, his reliance on alcohol grew. His addiction led to self-destructive behaviors, a DUI, recovery, and relapses, along with a number of hospitalizations.
At the age of 24, the hopelessness drove him to the brink of suicide. "I felt like the only escape from a life without alcohol was death. I felt completely alone. I tried to check myself into a hospital, and they turned me away. I was broke, exhausted, alone. I sat on the curb outside a convenience store, and I thought to myself, this is either going to kill me, or I'm going to kill myself. Fortunately, I chose life. I chose rehab."
Rehab wasn't a magical cure; in fact, Thompson found himself in and out of it, as many do. Eventually, though, he realized that the only way through it was by committing to the process and, equally important, building relationships. As he began making connections, he grew stronger and more committed, and he realized that he could help others. He taught himself to code and built the first of many iterations of Sober Sidekick.
Sober Sidekick provides an empathetic community and tracking tools to prevent relapse. Thompson's mission? Prioritize patient outcomes over profit. While many rehab facilities make money off relapses, Thompson's goal is to help the vulnerable break the negative cycle of addiction by providing proactive, authentic support and intervening before a full relapse occurs. Ultimately, he hopes to help individuals manage sustained sobriety.
By monitoring users' sobriety journeys, Thompson notes, "We are collecting some pretty strong data confirming what we know to be anecdotally true, which is, the more isolated you are, the more at risk you are." The app's algorithm also ensures that no member ever posts without receiving support. In fact, on average, 6.2 peers respond to every post in real time. This kind of 100% engagement rate is unprecedented.
The platform has tracked over 150,000 behavioral journeys to demonstrate its ability to reduce relapse rates. Likewise, members frequently credit Sober Sidekick with saving their lives. Additionally, over 18,000 Sober Sidekick members connected to critical care providers or SAMHSA resources using the app.
Sober Sidekick now has 180,000 users, with 500 to 1,000 new members joining daily. Over 5,000 public reviews boast an average rating of 4.8/5 across Google Play and the Apple App Store. If that isn't proof enough, Amplitude has validated the platform's focus on peer-to-peer engagement, confirming outcomes comparable to expensive residential treatment programs—and yet, the app is free for members.
Thompson's Sober Sidekick has also been backed by The American Heart Association, further validating its potential to help improve public health and help some of the most vulnerable on their journey to sobriety.
As National Recovery Month ends, it's more important than ever to remember that nearly 50% of families are impacted by addiction, and the journey to sobriety cannot be traveled alone. Fortunately, there are supports, like Sober Sidekick, which provides members with instant connection, community, and peer support, that are critical to overcoming addiction.
For anyone struggling or supporting a loved one through recovery, Sober Sidekick offers a lifeline—a reminder that the opposite of addiction is a connection, and no one has to face their battles alone.
