Sober Sidekick

Sober Sidekick is a healthcare engagement platform designed to help individuals struggling with substance abuse maintain sobriety through peer-to-peer support. Founded by Chris Thompson in January 2019, the app utilizes an "Empathy Algorithm" to ensure users receive immediate support from their community. The platform offers features including a sobriety tracker, in-app accountability messaging, 24/7 AA meetings, and an option to chat with professional help. As of June 2024, Sober Sidekick had over 500,000 members across more than 100 countries, with around 40,000 monthly active users. The app has demonstrated significant impact, with a reported 68% reduction in relapse rates by the fifth time a user engages with the platform. The company's effectiveness has been validated, which affirmed that increased peer-to-peer written engagements correlate with a higher likelihood of maintaining sobriety. The company operates on a revenue model that aligns its success with the recovery success of its users. In September 2023, Sober Sidekick was featured in a Harvard Business School case study examining its business model and approach to addiction recovery. The platform's growth has been largely organic, with about 700 new members joining daily as of October 2023.

Key customers and partnerships

Sober Sidekick has established partnerships with health insurance providers and government agencies. As of June 2024, the company had a contract with AmeriHealth Caritas, with agreements in the works for three more national health plans and state Medicaid plans. The platform has also been shortlisted for a grant with the American Heart Association. Additionally, Sober Sidekick has engaged in discussions with the US Department of Veterans Affairs regarding potential collaboration. The app has gained recognition from major tech companies, with Google Play featuring it prominently in its app store searches related to quitting addiction in July 2023.