ANCHOR
Preventing relapse through real-time, AI-powered support
BACKGROUND
Existing Recovery Apps Fail When They're Needed Most
Imagine this: It’s 11 PM. Jamie, a person in recovery, just finished a stressful workday. Anxiety is high, and the urge to drink creeps in. They open a sobriety app—only to see a streak counter, not the immediate support they need.
"85% of relapses occur during high-risk trigger moments when real-time support isn’t available."
As someone with lived experience in recovery, I know firsthand how a split-second decision can be a matter of life or death. That’s why I created ANCHOR—a recovery tool designed to provide immediate, AI-powered assistance when it matters most.
THE PROBLEM
People navigating recovery need accessible and immediate support during high-stress situations to prevent relapse
THE SOLUTION
ANCHOR: Bridging the Gap with Real-Time Support & AI Assistance
RESEARCH
Leading Discovery with Empathy
Competitive Analysis: Strengths & Gaps in Existing Solutions
I reviewed four major recovery apps and uncovered key insights:
Strengths
User-Friendly & Clean Design
Comprehensive Sober Tracker
Supportive Community & Daily Motivation
Location-Based Meeting Finder
Evidence-Based Approach with Resource Database
Weaknesses
Limited Personalization
No Real-Time Support
Overwhelming Content for New Users
Narrow Target Audience
Requires In-App Purchases for Personalization
DEFINE
Rooting Design Decisions in Real User Needs
To ensure my design was grounded in the needs and challenges of individuals in recovery, I created a user persona based on key insights from my research.
Understanding Our User: Meet Jamie!
Jamie needs a tool that offers real-time, judgement-free support and personalized guidance during high-stress moments.
HOW MIGHT WE…
Provide real-time, judgment-free support to individuals in recovery during moments of high stress to prevent relapse?
IDEATION
Turning Pain Points into Features
With a clearly defined user, I explored solutions that align with their needs and challenges to ensure support is always available.
Why AI?
AI provides immediate, personalized support by addressing key pain points:
Lack of real-time guidance → AI offers adaptive, real-time recommendations based on user history and triggers.
Limited availability of human support → AI enables 24/7 crisis assistance without fear of judgment.
Generic recovery resources → AI delivers personalized suggestions tailored to each user’s journey.
Information Architecture
To align my solution with user needs, I first created a site map to ensure seamless navigation. I then designed user flows that prioritized quick, intuitive access to personalized support, based on key research insights:
AI Recovery Chat + Meeting Join: Users interact with the AI and receive meeting recommendations.
Crisis Support + Post-Call Check-in: Users can quickly access emergency support and log their emotional state afterward.
DESIGN
Designing for Support & Accessibility
After defining core user flows, I sketched key screens to visualize interactions, prioritizing a clean, accessible design to reduce cognitive load. Given the app’s sensitive nature, the goal was to minimize friction and ensure quick access to support.
From there, I transitioned to Figma, refining layout and hierarchy with mid-fidelity wireframes before adding visual elements.
Visual Elements that Drive the Solution
Every element of ANCHOR’s UI was crafted to evoke stability, support, and hope, ensuring a seamless and reassuring experience.
Logo & Colors: A minimalist anchor symbolizes grounding support, paired with soothing blues and neutrals for reassurance.
Typography: Inter was chosen for its clarity and warmth, maintaining readability without feeling clinical.
UI Components: Large CTA buttons, intuitive icons, and structured layouts reduce friction, making navigation effortless.
This cohesive design approach ensures ANCHOR remains accessible, inviting, and easy to use—even in moments of uncertainty.
TESTING & ITERATIONS
Refining for Maximum Impact
I conducted a remote, moderated usability test with five participants to evaluate key flows within ANCHOR. They were asked to complete the following tasks:
Interacting with AI Chat and joining a meeting.
Accessing crisis support and completing the post-call mood check-in.
While the app performed well overall, feedback highlighted opportunities to enhance visibility, accessibility, and tone. Iterations were made to refine the user experience accordingly.
RESULTS
With an average satisfaction rating of 9/10, users found the app to be especially valuable for individuals in early recovery
The app received a strong 9/10 average satisfaction rating, with users highlighting its value for individuals in early recovery. 80% of testers said they would use the app regularly, reinforcing its potential to provide ongoing support during critical moments.
AI Recovery Chat & Meeting Suggestions
Crisis Support & Post-Call Check-in
FINAL THOUGHTS
What I Learned: This project highlighted the importance of empathy in design. Understanding the emotional and psychological needs of users in recovery influenced every phase, from research to design. Balancing these needs during vulnerable moments was a challenge, but it deepened my ability to create supportive, user-centered solutions.
Next Steps: In the future, I’d focus on expanding the community feature to foster deeper connections between users. This would create a stronger sense of belonging and support, which is critical for people in recovery. Additionally, refining AI personalization based on user history would further enhance the app’s ability to meet individual needs.
What I’m Most Proud Of: I’m incredibly proud to have designed a solution that has the potential to save lives. ANCHOR is more than just a tool for tracking sobriety—it provides real-time, stigma-free support for individuals navigating recovery. Seeing how this solution can positively impact users in their most vulnerable moments is something I truly value!