Reframe Drinking App Review

In This Article
If you're scrolling through apps to stop drinking, you've probably come across Reframe. As more and more people learn that alcoholism is a brain disorder, it makes sense to look for a neuroscience-backed tool.
Reframe supports both sobriety and moderation goals. Whether you're curious about your relationship with alcohol, struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), or just trying to drink less, this breakdown is for you.
But how does the app actually work? For starters, Reframe offers daily reading about the addicted brain, using content that feels tailored and specific rather than generic. It then helps you apply the reading to your life, which can be pretty powerful.
“Education is a game changer when it comes to helping people quit drinking,” explains Gillian Tietz, Founder of the Sober Powered podcast.
Reframe Features: The Daily Noteboard
The app provides a daily noteboard with structured tasks to support your goals including:
- Daily reading
- Daily motivation (usually a quote)
- Daily reflection with a writing prompt
- Daily check-in (rate mood, stress, and energy; jot down thoughts)
- Daily drink log to track drinks, cravings, and notes
While that might sound like a lot, the full noteboard typically takes just a few minutes. It’s a quick, focused way to build healthy habits and check in with yourself.
Jeffrey Ditzell, DO, a psychiatrist, believes the best quit drinking apps should include many of the features Reframe offers. “Understanding neuroscience regarding the limbic system and reward pathways in the brain can help conceptualize the science behind changing old, less effective behaviors for healthier ones.”
Jessica Tate, MS, LPCC-S, LCADC, Chief Clinical Officer at Milton Recovery Centers, also notes the importance of training the brain’s neuropathways. Reframe supports that goal by offering a wide range of resources. One highlight is the app’s toolkit, which includes mindfulness exercises, EFT tapping, a podcast, and mocktail recipes—offering something for every type of user, for any type of moment in the recovery process.
Groups & Coaching
Reframe also provides access to daily, specialized online coaching sessions via Zoom.
These are camera- and mic-optional, making them low-pressure and accessible. Some groups are tailored for people with 6+ months of sobriety, while others support moderation, veterans, or first responders. Some are geared to moderation, sobriety, or are meditation-focused. A unique feature is the ability to preview a coach's background before joining a session.
These daily groups are included in the base subscription. For more personalized guidance, Reframe offers one-on-one online coaching at an additional cost. A short five-question quiz helps match you with a coach, specifying someone “holistic and well-rounded” or “structured and goal-driven,” depending on your preferences. You can even filter by specialized training areas, like trauma or sobriety.
At the time of writing, a single coaching session is $79.99, and advanced coaching is $249.99, which includes three sessions per month plus texting access with your coach.
Reframe App’s Drink Tracker
If relapse does occur, the most important thing someone can do is act quickly. The sooner a person addresses their setback, the easier it is to get back on track. Several effective treatments and strategies can help people regain control and continue their recovery journey.
Reframe features a personalized drink tracking system where you establish your starting point and set realistic goals. You can enable notifications to prompt drink logging at specific times of day. As you record your progress, you’ll get insights about what’s happening in your body over time. Seeing these updates can make cutting back more tangible and motivating.
You’ll also find a community support tab, where you can message members, comment on posts, or start a group chat. This makes it more than a solo journey.
The app also includes challenges like a 30-day reset or a relationship challenge, which can involve your partner and explore how alcohol affects your dynamic as a couple.
There are also practical courses such as “Creating Healthy Boundaries” and “Resetting After a Relapse.” One Reframe user, Sarah, told Oar Health, “As someone who has been in the recovery community for a long time, trying different tools, I feel like there’s such a stigma around relapse... Reframe is more holistic, actually walking you through how to approach the day after a relapse with practical tools other than ‘don’t drink and go to a meeting.’”
It’s worth noting that to unlock courses, you’ll use “Recoins,” which are earned through daily tasks. For example, “How to Reset After a Slip/Relapse” costs 350 Recoins, and completing your daily check-in earns 50.
Who Is Reframe For?
Apps can be a powerful first step toward change, says Tate. “Someone might be hesitant to go to treatment, walk into a therapist’s office or join a support group, but they’ll download an app out of curiosity. That initial engagement is a big deal.”
For many, Reframe serves as a gentle introduction to reevaluating their relationship with alcohol. That said, according to clinicians, individuals with severe alcohol dependence should consult a medical professional before using any app-based approach.
“If you’re physically dependent on alcohol and thinking about quitting cold turkey, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening to do that on your own,” Tate warns.
Is Reframe App Free?
There’s a seven-day free trial that allows access to features, but after that, there’s a paid subscription, which is $99.99 per year. So while it’s not a long-term free quit drinking app, the trial gives you time to see if it fits your needs.
What Do People Think About Reframe?
On Reframe app Reddit threads, the feedback is largely positive. Users frequently mention how the app’s daily lessons and friendly community boost motivation, and provide practical tools. Some users on Reddit and in app store reviews have mentioned occasional difficulty with subscription cancellation, so it’s a good idea to double-check your trial settings.
Currently, the app has a 4.8-star rating in the App Store, backed by thousands of glowing Reframe app reviews. To avoid any unexpected charges, make sure to review your subscription settings before your trial ends.
While Reframe is rooted in neuroscience, it also complements pharmacological supports like naltrexone, which blocks the pleasurable effects of alcohol and reduces cravings. Many experts suggest that combining behavioral support like Reframe with pharmacological tools such as naltrexone may enhance outcomes.
Reframe offers a flexible, user-friendly tool to help people reduce or quit drinking. It’s engaging and grounded in science—with extensive tools that cater to rewiring the brain. If you’re looking for structure, 24/7 support, and a nonjudgmental community, Reframe might just be the right fit.
Are You Drinking Too Much?
Is drinking affecting your job? Is alcohol harming your health or relationships? Does your drinking worry you? Ever tried to drink less but failed?
If any of this sounds familiar, Oar Health might be right for you. Oar Health offers medication FDA-approved for the treatment of alcohol problems. A daily pill to drink less or quit.
About The Author
Xenia Ellenbogen (she/they) is a journalist specializing in health, mental health, and wellness. Her writing has appeared in publications such as Everyday Health, Well+Good, Rewire News Group, Prism, and more.