Table 2 Tools provided by apps to support people in recovery from OUD (n = 161)

Information provision (% Yes)

43.5

(70)

48.1

(50)

35.1

(20)

0.14

Provides any information (even light info) about management and/or treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD)

34.8

(56)

39.4

(41)

26.3

(15)

0.12

Provides information about medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)

7.5

(12)

9.6

(10)

3.5

(2)

0.22

Provides information about addiction

13.0

(21)

10.6

(11)

17.5

(10)

0.23

Provides advice on how to deal with relapse

3.1

(5)

2.9

(3)

3.5

(2)

1.00

Linkage (% Yes)

53.4

(86)

60.6

(63)

40.4

(23)

0.02

Connects the app user with community resources to support recovery

8.1

(13)

10.6

(11)

3.5

(2)

0.14

Facilitates telehealth meetings regarding OUD

14.9

(24)

18.3

(19)

8.8

(5)

0.16

Facilitates peer recovery online meetings

13.7

(22)

18.3

(19)

5.3

(3)

0.03

Identifies nearby meetings for mutual help groups

16.1

(26)

18.3

(19)

12.3

(7)

0.38

Connects the user with a pre-existing online community outside of the

6.2

(10)

3.8

(4)

10.5

(6)

0.17

The app itself provides/builds an online community for peer support

26.7

(43)

33.7

(35)

14.0

(8)

0.01

Motivational Content and Tools (% Yes)

65.2

(105)

66.3

(69)

63.2

(36)

0.73

Provides motivational messaging

51.6

(83)

48.1

(50)

57.9

(33)

0.25

Provides encouragement / rewards for staying on track with recovery

34.8

(56)

36.5

(38)

31.6

(18)

0.61

Engages app users about personal reasons to quit substance use

8.1

(13)

8.7

(9)

7.0

(4)

1.00

Asks the app users to set goals related to their OUD recovery

14.3

(23)

16.3

(17)

10.5

(6)

0.36

Accountability (% Yes)

65.8

(106)

69.2

(72)

59.6

(34)

0.23

Serves as a tool to stay accountable while navigating recovery

26.1

(42)

28.8

(30)

21.1

(12)

0.35

Provides reminders not to use

1.9

(3)

1.9

(2)

1.8

(1)

1.00

Provides reminders to use recovery support tools available in the app

11.8

(19)

13.5

(14)

8.8

(5)

0.45

Checks in with the app user regarding their recovery

17.4

(28)

21.2

(22)

10.5

(6)

0.13

Tracks and calculates recovery related information

46.6

(75)

47.1

(49)

45.6

(26)

0.87

Functions as a journal for recovery-related journaling

18.6

(30)

19.2

(20)

17.5

(10)

0.84

Tools for Tracking and Navigating Cravings (% Yes)

34.8

(56)

39.4

(41)

26.3

(15)

0.12

Provides a tracker for cravings

6.8

(11)

7.7

(8)

5.3

(3)

0.75

Helps identify places to avoid

1.9

(3)

2.9

(3)

0.0

(0)

0.55

Notifies app user when they are near self-identified areas to avoid

0.6

(1)

1.0

(1)

0.0

(0)

1.00

Offers distraction tools

6.8

(11)

7.7

(8)

5.3

(3)

0.75

Nudges app user to engage in substance-free enjoyable activities, so as to stay in recovery

4.3

(7)

5.8

(6)

1.8

(1)

0.42

Assigns/provides mindfulness exercises

11.8

(19)

13.5

(14)

8.8

(5)

0.45

Connects the app user with emergency contacts

13.0

(21)

15.4

(16)

8.8

(5)

0.33

Engages app users in positive psychology exercises (other than gratitude)

3.1

(5)

4.8

(5)

0.0

(0)

0.16

Engages app user in gratitude journaling

6.2

(10)

5.8

(6)

7.0

(4)

0.74

Limited Access (% Yes)

42.9

(69)

51.9

(54)

26.3

(15)

0.00

Payment necessary for any content

36.0

(58)

42.3

(44)

24.6

(14)

0.03

App is limited to private invite

7.5

(12)

10.6

(11)

1.8

(1)

0.06