Does the counter sync across devices?
No. By design, your sobriety start date is stored only in localStorage on the device where you set it. For multi-device tracking, use a shared calendar reminder on the date you started. Syncing across devices would require an account + cloud database, and we specifically chose not to build that for privacy reasons.
What happens if I clear my browser data?
The counter resets. Your start date lives in your browser storage under the key rf_sobriety_start. Clearing cookies, localStorage, or using Incognito all reset the counter. Write your sobriety start date down somewhere you will not lose it — phone notes, calendar event, notebook.
Why no login or cloud sync?
Addiction data is among the most strictly protected classes of health information under 42 CFR Part 2. Adding a login means storing identifiable recovery data on our servers — legal risk for us and exposure risk for you. We made the privacy trade-off in your favor: the counter is local and stays that way. HIPAA does not apply because we never receive your data.
Is my day count accurate?
Yes, to the day. The counter does a simple date subtraction (today minus start date, rounded down to whole days). Time zones are handled in the browser’s local zone — travelling across zones may shift the count by a day occasionally, but over weeks and months it stays accurate. Milestones like 30, 90, 365 days trigger the progress indicator.
What milestones does the counter track?
Day 1, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 270, 365, 730, 1,095, 1,460, 1,825, 2,555, and 3,650. Each milestone has clinical significance: 30 days is the first measurable neuroplasticity window, 90 days is NIDA’s sustained-recovery threshold, 5 years puts relapse risk on par with someone who never had SUD.
I relapsed — should I reset the counter?
Your call. Many in recovery reset to Day 1 after a relapse; others count continuous days and note the lapse separately. NIDA treats SUD as a chronic disease — relapse rate 40–60%, comparable to hypertension or asthma — and does not treat a lapse as treatment failure. What matters clinically is re-engaging fast. If relapse is recent, call
(833) 567-5838 — a specialist can help adjust treatment level (step up from outpatient to IOP, or residential).
Is this a sobriety calculator or a sobriety counter?
Both — the terms describe the same thing. A sobriety calculator (or recovery calculator) takes your sobriety date and works out how long you have been sober; a sobriety counter shows that number counting up live. This tool does both: enter your start date once and it becomes a running days-sober counter that recalculates every time you open the page.
Does it work as an AA day counter with chips and anniversaries?
Yes. The milestone markers line up with the traditional AA chip and token schedule — 24 hours, 30, 60, and 90 days, 6 months, 9 months, and yearly anniversaries — so you can use it as an AA day counter to know exactly when your next chip is due. NA and SMART Recovery use similar milestone anniversaries, and the counter fits all three.
Can I see a sobriety calendar of my progress?
The counter shows total days plus the next milestone rather than a full month-grid sobriety calendar. Many people pair it with a physical or phone calendar: mark your sobriety date, then let this tool do the running math and milestone alerts. Your sobriety date is the single source of truth — write it down so a cleared browser never loses it.
Does it show money saved or a live sobriety clock?
The counter focuses on days and milestones rather than a to-the-second sobriety clock or a money-saved estimate, because those extras vary hugely by person and substance. Days sober is the number recovery research actually tracks. If you want a money-saved figure, multiply your old daily or weekly spend by the day count the tool shows you.
Can I track a loved one’s recovery with it?
You can set the counter to a loved one’s sobriety date to follow their milestones and know when to celebrate with them — a supportive way to track a loved one’s recovery. Two cautions: keep it encouraging rather than surveillance, and remember the count lives only on your device. If you are supporting someone in recovery, our guides on
how to help a loved one and
family support go deeper.
Does counting days actually help recovery?
Yes — self-monitoring is one of the most consistently supported behavior-change tools. The
NIAAA notes that tracking progress increases motivation, and a visible, growing number gives you something concrete to protect. For some people, day counting can also add pressure after a lapse — if that is you, count “days since last use” without shame, or focus on re-engagement instead.