In today’s digital society, you can find almost anything you need online or via an app. As a result, it only follows that you can find essential support for topics as wide-ranging as mental health and even substance use disorder (SUD) recovery online as well. In fact, there are a ton of helpful resources available through apps, educational courses, wearable tech, and more.
We’ve rounded up some cool digital gift ideas for people going through substance use recovery. Whether your loved one is new to sobriety or has been walking the path to recovery for decades, we think you’ll find a useful resource on our list.
Meditation and Mindfulness Apps
Meditation and mindfulness exercises are a frequent component of recovery programs, as they enable people to reflect on where they have been and where they are going. These popular meditation and mindfulness apps are a good way to help support a loved one as they continue working towards long-term recovery and can make great digital recovery gifts:
Calm
This app focuses on applying different ways to meditate each day. It even provides meditation sessions that walk the user through the process, giving your loved one exercises to follow as well as timers to finish a session. Also included is a music section that provides calming music to listen to while meditating. Through the Calm app, your loved one can track progress as sessions are completed, as well as track moods so they can observe their progress.
Healthy Minds Program
The Healthy Minds Program app utilizes four factors that make up a well-balanced and healthy mindset – these four factors include awareness, insight, connection, and purpose. App users are able to quiz themselves on all four of these ideas so they can develop a better understanding of how they need to improve in these areas. Once they have determined where they need to improve, they may pick two teachers and then begin taking courses, all while keeping track of progress made.
Headspace
Headspace offers a variety of meditations to try so that your loved one will never get tired of doing the same kind of meditation every day. The app gives clearly outlined sessions to complete, similar to taking a class that starts out at a beginner’s level and then becomes more advanced over time. Headspace is a useful app for those who wish to improve their meditation practices, as it provides the tools to do so. Additionally, the app offers meditation sessions that help an individual process grief, self-esteem, anxiety, and other issues commonly experienced in recovery.
The Mindfulness App
If you are looking to help your loved one experience less stress, improved sleep, and better overall mental health, The Mindfulness App is a great place to start. Within this app are over 450 meditations, as well as courses available to learn new mindfulness and meditation practices from qualified teachers.
Your loved one will have the opportunity to create their own profile so that the app can be better tailored to their needs. The Mindfulness App helps people use meditation to promote relaxation before bedtime and to remain calm when feeling anxious. This app is a wonderful solution for those looking to improve their sleep and keep calm as they continue their recovery journey.
Online Therapy and Counseling Services
Your loved one is no longer required to travel to a therapist’s office to conduct a therapy session – now, it can be done right in the comfort of their own home. Online therapy and counseling services can be some of the best digital gifts for addiction recovery support, especially if your loved one feels more comfortable being in their own space while talking about difficult topics. Below are a few options for online therapy and counseling services.
Better Help
Better Help is a popular online therapy service because it is affordable, easy to use, and effective. Users can choose from a variety of licensed and accredited therapists and can complete sessions at any time, as their schedule permits. Whenever the need to reach out to a therapist arises, your loved one can contact their therapist.
If you choose to gift your loved one with this online therapy service, know that they will be able to select the right therapist for them and have the option to choose another therapist if the need arises.
Talkspace
Talkspace is a HIPPA-compliant online therapy app that offers a variety of licensed therapists to choose from. Users of this service are matched with a therapist after taking an assessment to determine their mental health needs.
Simply choose a plan that best suits your budget, and then your loved one will be able to begin their online therapy sessions. All therapy plans are designed to be flexible to meet a variety of different scheduling needs. Again, here, your loved one will have the option to change therapists if necessary for no added charge.
Brightside Health
Brightside Health is another online therapy service that provides personalized therapy treatment plans. Your loved one will be able to start their sessions soon after they have taken the assessment after matching with a licensed therapist who can handle even serious cases of depression and anxiety. They will be paired with one therapist that offers them consistent support throughout their treatment.
E-Therapy Cafe
Another option for receiving therapy and coaching from the comfort of home is E-Therapy Cafe. Your loved one will be able to choose from a wide assortment of therapists who match their needs best and can complete sessions from practically anywhere. Most importantly, other resources and continuous support are available for those in need of more help.
Fitness Trackers and Health Monitors
Supporting a loved one who is on the recovery journey often involves gentle reminders for self-care – particularly as it pertains to keeping up with their health. Eating well and regular exercise are two important components of staying healthy. Fitness trackers and health monitors can be wonderful digital recovery gifts that support sobriety. Here are some of our favorites:
Fitness Trackers
Fitness trackers are a great gift that demonstrates your support for your loved one’s journey to becoming a healthier version of themselves. We love these options:
Smart Watch
This health and fitness tracker smartwatch offers an ultra-high-definition touchscreen that allows you to see the screen easily. It is responsive to touch, making it very user-friendly. The companion app included allows individuals to personalize the dial from either the 200 dial options or with personal pictures.
This watch can keep an updated record of blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. Additionally, it can track sleep cycles, noting how much REM sleep was achieved. With more than 128 exercise activities, it is easy to track multiple physical activities that one participates in over the course of a day.
FITVII FINO 2 Slim Fitness Tracker
The FITVII FINO 2 Slim Fitness Tracker (Amazon) has multiple functions. It can help track multiple different physical activity types, such as the number of steps taken in a day, calories lost, and the distance traveled. Separate functions are available to track any sports, such as basketball, running, or even swimming (as it is waterproof). If your loved one enjoys spending time at the gym, this is a great option for them.
Blood oxygen, heart rate, and blood pressure can be recorded to ensure that your loved one remains within a healthy range. It is also possible to track sleep and wake times, as well as other sleep data, helping the user note when they got the best quality sleep. This is useful for those who need to address drowsiness, insomnia, and other issues.
This fitness tracker even coordinates with most smartphones, giving users the ability to receive phone calls, text messages, and app updates.
Fitness Tracker Watch
Another fitness tracker gift option is the Fitness Tracker Watch (Amazon), which monitors the user’s heart rate throughout the day, keeps details of sleeping patterns overnight, and offers nine sports activity tracking options. It also records all steps taken, calories burned during physical activity, and the number of miles walked in a day. This watch can also receive text messages and app notifications. However, it cannot make outgoing phone calls or text messages.
Health Monitors
Health trackers are devices that can help your loved one focus on specific areas of health concern. Some useful options include:
iHealth Track Smart Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
The iHealth Track Smart Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor (Amazon) allows users to monitor blood pressure and spot irregular heart rhythms, alerting the user to anything considered irregular heart activity. The monitor can be connected to a smartphone using Bluetooth settings so that readings can be seen on the phone
Zacurate 500 BL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
The Zacurate 500BL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter (Amazon) reads blood oxygen saturation levels, pulse rate, and strength. It is easy to use – just place it on one finger and click the button to read the Zacurate 500BL Fingertip Pulse Oximetercurrent blood oxygen levels. Whether your loved one is an outdoor enthusiast looking to track O2 levels or concerned about potential health issues, this pulse oximeter can be essential.
Posture Scale
If your loved one is hoping to lose weight as part of their healing journey, the Posture Scale for Body Weight (Amazon) could be the jumpstart they need. This scale does more than check weight; it also checks body fat, body water, BMI, and protein by using electrical Bio-Impedance Measurement technology. Users can store all of this information on their phone by downloading the app and syncing scale activity to their phone.
Educational Courses and Workshops
Other digital recovery gifts that support sobriety include online educational courses and workshops that help your loved one further their knowledge of the benefits of remaining sober and staying in recovery. These are some of our favorites:
The Minor Adjustments Program
This online program is available through Udemy and is designed for those who have either served time in prison or have had a history of substance use and are now looking to stay sober. The Minor Adjustments Program focuses on making those minor adjustments in life that can make all the difference in staying in recovery.
The course can promote personal growth, boost self-confidence, and inspire hope that it is possible to get sober and stay on the path to recovery. The course is accredited by the Complementary Therapists Accredited Association (CTAA). Once completed, a certificate will be awarded.
Breaking Chains: Overcoming Alcohol Use Disorder- Causes & Recovery
For those who have struggled with alcohol use disorder, this program can provide an in-depth education. Your loved one can dive deep into what causes alcoholism, how to combat it with healthy coping skills, and gather resources for staying in recovery. Breaking Chains: Overcoming Alcohol Use Disorder- Causes & Recovery is available through the free online class platform Alison.
Another Go-To Recovery Gift? Gift Cards
If you are still struggling to find the perfect gift for your loved one in recovery, consider an Amazon e-gift card. Gift cards afford the recipient the opportunity to pick out whatever they want or need. As it is digital, it is easily sent to your loved one, who will be notified via email.
Support for Those in Recovery is the Most Important Gift
It can be difficult to find the right gift for someone who is in recovery from substance use disorder. Still, with any gift, we suggest doing your best to offer motivation and encouragement to continue in their journey. Letting your loved one know that you offer your unconditional support might just be the best gift you can give.
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