SURE: Substance Use Recovery Evaluator
SURE: Substance Use Recovery Evaluator
Designing a safe, stigma-free mobile app for individuals in or considering recovery, with King’s College London.
TLDR;
TLDR;
Problem: People recovering from substance use needed more than clinical appointments. They needed a safe, non-judgmental space to track their own progress on their terms.
Solution: Working closely with King's College London researchers and 15 participants including clinicians and people in recovery, I co-designed SURE around six features users told us they actually needed: Recovery Tracker, Sleep Tracker, Diary, Artwork, Resources, and Naloxone guidance.
Impact: 60% of recovery program patients voluntarily signed up. We focused on user feedback and iterations for the version 2 of the app which delivered a 40% increase in daily users and secured additional funding from King's College London to take it further.
Problem: People recovering from substance use needed more than clinical appointments. They needed a safe, non-judgmental space to track their own progress on their terms.
Solution: Working closely with King's College London researchers and 15 participants including clinicians and people in recovery, I co-designed SURE around six features users told us they actually needed: Recovery Tracker, Sleep Tracker, Diary, Artwork, Resources, and Naloxone guidance.
Impact: 60% of recovery program patients voluntarily signed up. We focused on user feedback and iterations for the version 2 of the app which delivered a 40% increase in daily users and secured additional funding from King's College London to take it further.
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
People in recovery avoid clinical-looking apps.
People in recovery avoid clinical-looking apps.
People in recovery avoid clinical-looking apps.
“Most individuals in recovery refrain from using apps that are information heavy and look too NHS-y.” — King’s College London research
“Most individuals in recovery refrain from using apps that are information heavy and look too NHS-y.”
— King’s College London research
ABOUT
ABOUT
ABOUT
MY ROLE
UX/UI Designer: research, facilitation, ideation, prototyping, UI validation
PARTNER
King’s College London academics and clinical researchers
GOAL
A free, non-clinical app that helps users track recovery at their own pace
HOW MIGHT WE…
HOW MIGHT WE…
Establish an online safe space where people in recovery can monitor progress, share experiences, and stay motivated with curated resources.
Establish an online safe space where people in recovery can monitor progress, share experiences, and stay motivated with curated resources.
Establish an online safe space where people in recovery can monitor progress, share experiences, and stay motivated with curated resources.
MY DESIGN PROCESS
MY DESIGN PROCESS
4 KEY FINDINGS —> 15-participant workshop with clinicians and people in recovery
4 KEY FINDINGS —> 15-participant workshop with clinicians and people in recovery
Need for self-expression
Need for self-expression
Participants expressed a strong desire for the app to provide a safe space for them to express themselves creatively. This could include journaling features, mood trackers with customisable options, or the ability to share inspirational quotes or stories with the recovery community.
Participants expressed a strong desire for the app to provide a safe space for them to express themselves creatively. This could include journaling features, mood trackers with customisable options, or the ability to share inspirational quotes or stories with the recovery community.
Access to relevant information tailored to their needs
Access to relevant information tailored to their needs
Users emphasised the importance of having access to accurate and up-to-date information about addiction recovery, relapse prevention strategies, and local support resources. This information should be presented in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand manner, tailored to their specific stage of recovery.
Users emphasised the importance of having access to accurate and up-to-date information about addiction recovery, relapse prevention strategies, and local support resources. This information should be presented in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand manner, tailored to their specific stage of recovery.
Ability to track progress in their sleep routine
Ability to track progress in their sleep routine
Sleep quality is a crucial factor in recovery. Participants highlighted the need for tools to track their sleep patterns, set sleep goals, and receive personalised tips for improving sleep hygiene.
Sleep quality is a crucial factor in recovery. Participants highlighted the need for tools to track their sleep patterns, set sleep goals, and receive personalised tips for improving sleep hygiene.
Ability to tell their stories as a fellow Samaritan
Ability to tell their stories as a fellow Samaritan
Many users expressed a desire to connect with others on a similar journey and offer support. The app could facilitate this by providing a platform for users to share their recovery stories anonymously or within a safe community forum which is anonymous.
Many users expressed a desire to connect with others on a similar journey and offer support. The app could facilitate this by providing a platform for users to share their recovery stories anonymously or within a safe community forum which is anonymous.
PERSONAS —> Who we designed for...
PERSONAS —> Who we designed for...
Female
Female
|
|
33 years
33 years
10 yrs in recovery from alcohol
NEEDS
To be busy, social & purpose-driven
PAIN POINTS
Boredom · Isolation · Lack of info
Male
Male
|
|
18 years
18 years
In recovery from heroin + crack
NEEDS
Group program + detox support
Group program + detox support
PAIN POINTS
Sleeplessness · Stress · Peer pressure
Male
Male
|
|
14 years
14 years
Not on a recovery journey (works with key worker)
Not on a recovery journey (works with key worker)
NEEDS
NEEDS
Occasional project involvement
PAIN POINTS
Cravings · Sleep problems · Disengaged
6 KEY FEATURES —> Each mapped to a research finding
6 KEY FEATURES —> Each mapped to a research finding
Recovery Tracker
Progress monitoring via research-team questions.
Progress monitoring via research-team questions.
Sleep Tracker
Track sleep patterns + get personalised tips.
Track sleep patterns + get personalised tips.
Artwork
Share poems and artwork with the community.
Share poems and artwork with the community.
Diary
Private journal for milestones, thoughts, feelings.
Private journal for milestones, thoughts, feelings.
Naloxone
Understand overdose + how to use naloxone.
Understand overdose + how to use naloxone.
Resources
Self-help library for coping & health management.
Self-help library for coping & health management.
DESIGN ARTEFACTS
DESIGN ARTEFACTS
SURE - SITEMAP
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
SURE : Substance Use Recovery Evaluator
SURE : Substance Use Recovery Evaluator
Warm, non-clinical, privacy-first. Every screen designed around the emotional safety of the user.
Warm, non-clinical, privacy-first. Every screen designed around the emotional safety of the user.
IMPACT
IMPACT
60%
of program participants enrolled voluntarily
40%
increase in daily users, v1 → v2
Diary+ Artwork
the most-loved features by all 30 users
Extra funding
secured from KCL to expand the app