The name of the program is DynamiCare. Its purpose is to encourage people to get rid of bad habits and addictions such as alcoholism.

How does it work

• The app implements an instant reward mechanism for performing self-control tasks.
• For example, to give up alcohol for a day, the app will pay the user five real dollars.
• But the authors emphasize that this is not a way to make money, because the process involves their own funds or third parties, not the company’s money.
• If relatives want to help get rid of addiction, they can pay for a subscription.
• Receiving these funds is not as easy as it seems, and they cannot be spent at their discretion – a special account is blocked when trying to go to a liquor store or order home delivery.

Richard Costigen, one of the developers of the app, who survived the alcohol addiction that destroyed his family and career more than four years ago and now helps heal others / Photo by SUZANNE KREITER / GLOBE

DynamiCare has several modes and dozens of types of exercises for digital therapy, as well as an intelligent assistant to help you choose the most appropriate recovery strategy. For example, the application rewards data transfer from portable breathalyzers, which serves as confirmation of user restriction. Bonuses in the form of real money can be earned by visiting a rehabilitation center, gym or psychological care groups.

The method is called controversial because in this case it is a kind of blackmail that a family member can resort to. To do this, the money intended for the dependent person is credited to the account of the application and becomes available only in case of sobriety and fulfillment of duties. But, according to the authors of DynamiCare, the fast direct reward method is one of the most convenient ways to quickly change the patient behavior pattern and wean him away from bad habits.