About Us

Recovery happens between the appointments.

Upwend is a recovery support companion designed for the moments when your next appointment feels far away — the evenings, the hard days, the times when you need something to hold onto.

It's not a treatment program. It's not a replacement for your clinician, counselor, or medication. It's a quiet companion, built to be there when they can't be.

Built with Recovery Support & Clinical Experience

Designed around real-world recovery journeys.

Upwend was developed with input informed by experience in addiction and family medicine. The app experience is informed by experience supporting people in outpatient, OTP, and correctional environments.

That experience shaped the tone, the pacing, and the approach. The non-judgmental language. The absence of fail states. The understanding that recovery is not a straight line, and that showing up — even imperfectly — is always enough.

Recovery is rarely linear. Upwend was built around that reality — offering support without judgment, pressure, or penalties for struggle.
Recovery-Informed Design Built for real life, not ideal circumstances
Grounded in Evidence

Evidence-based recovery support throughout the journey.

Upwend draws on four evidence-based recovery-support frameworks, integrated throughout the experience.

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CBT — Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Understanding the thought-feeling-action loop so you can catch what's happening before it makes a decision for you.
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CRA — Community Reinforcement Approach Recovery is stronger when life is genuinely rewarding. Upwend helps you identify what matters most and build toward it.
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ACT — Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Cravings are waves — observable, survivable, and time-limited. Upwend teaches you to ride them rather than fight them.
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Stages of Change Not everyone is ready to commit, and that's okay. Upwend meets you where you are — including if you're not sure yet.
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What Upwend is — and is not.

What Upwend is

  • ✓A recovery support companion for between-appointment engagement
  • ✓Evidence-based content grounded in CBT, CRA, ACT, and Stages of Change
  • ✓Self-paced, optional, and non-judgmental
  • ✓Designed to complement your existing support — not substitute it

What Upwend is not

  • ✗A treatment program or medical service
  • ✗A replacement for your clinician, counselor, or medication
  • ✗A crisis support service
  • ✗A medical device

Access & Important Information

Upwend is a product of ClearStep LLC. Access is currently available through participating organizations and authorized access codes; the app is not currently available for open consumer sign-up.

Upwend is not for emergencies. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

For crisis support, call or text 988. You may also contact your treatment provider.