Built by Someone Who's Been There
A personal recovery journey turned into a tool to help others find their own path.
I’ve been a web developer for over 25 years. I built my first website when I was 12, graduated from the University of Missouri’s College of Business in 2007, and built a career I was proud of. I got married in 2006, had three kids, and did what many of us do—tried to hold everything together while the stress piled up silently behind the scenes.
Around 2011, things unraveled. The long hours, family pressure, and internal battles led to heavy binge drinking. I started sneaking drinks at work, landed in the ER more than once, and cycled through short sober streaks—three months here, four months there—before always falling back off. As a deeply introverted guy and lifelong gamer, traditional recovery paths didn’t always feel like they fit. That’s when the idea for SoberBud first took shape around 2017: what if recovery felt more like a journey, more like a game… more like something I’d actually stick with?
I got sober in 2021, and I’ve stayed sober since. SoberBud was built to reflect the kind of support I wish I’d had—accessible, judgment-free, and designed to meet you where you are. Whether you’re on Day 1 or Year 10, this app was made for you—by someone who truly gets it.
- Steve
Why SoberBud Was Born
Designed from lived experience. Built for real recovery.
These aren't just features—they're lifelines, crafted to support people like me who needed something beyond meetings and willpower.
Gamified Growth
Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. SoberBud lets you earn XP and skill points so you can track progress in a way that actually feels like progress.
Smart, Personalized Support
Behind every prompt and notification is an AI system trained to understand what you're going through—and respond with insight that feels human.
Built for Everyone
You don’t have to speak in front of a group or pour your heart out to strangers. SoberBud meets you where you are, in your pocket, 24/7.
Milestone Motivation
From your first day to your first year, unlock beautifully designed sobriety tokens and track your wins—because every day counts.
Solo, but Never Alone
Recovery can feel isolating—but SoberBud keeps you engaged with daily challenges, guided reflections, and motivational check-ins.
Real-Life Tools, Not Just Words
Journals, coping strategies, cravings logs, and check-in history are all synced to help you notice patterns, catch yourself early, and stay on track.
Global Impact of Substance Use
Understanding the scale helps us understand why tools like SoberBud matter.
300M
people have used substances in the past year 1
40M
people live with substance abuse disorders 2
3M
deaths each year from substance abuse 3
Sources:
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime World Drug Report 2023
- World Health Organization Psychoactive Drugs
- World Health Organization Report on Annual Deaths Due to Alcohol and Drug Use
Recovery Stories
Real people sharing their journey with SoberBud
Life-changing Support
SoberBud has been my constant companion through the toughest moments of early recovery. The daily check-ins and community support have made all the difference when I felt like giving up.
Finally Found What Works
After trying multiple apps and programs, SoberBud is the only one that's stuck with me. The personalized insights help me understand my triggers, and the milestone celebrations keep me motivated.
Community That Understands
The SoberBud community has become my second family. Being able to connect with others who truly understand what I'm going through has been invaluable. The app's features are great, but it's the people that make it special.
Data-Driven Recovery
As someone who loves tracking progress, SoberBud gives me exactly what I need. The analytics help me see patterns I never noticed before, and watching my health metrics improve keeps me motivated.
