Mesura: an app to help you drink less or stop drinking with a daily plan
Transparency: Mesura is made by AppRadar, the publisher of this website.
Mesura is an app designed for adults who want to monitor and modify their alcohol consumption. Its store listing presents two paths: moderation and alcohol-free days, as well as a log of drinks, mood, and context. The idea is to gather these daily decisions in one place. It is not a medical treatment and is not intended to assess whether sudden abstinence is safe.
Who might it suit
This might be of interest if you want to identify the situations in which you drink, prepare a dinner where you usually accept a drink, or review how your goals are progressing. The first decision is to choose a goal that you can explain. "This week I will note what happens after work" allows you to observe a specific situation. "I'm going to change everything" might be too broad to decide what to do today.
If you drink heavily every day, experience tremors or sweating when cutting down, or have a history of withdrawal, consult a professional before quitting cold turkey. A moderation option within an app does not mean that moderation is appropriate for everyone. NHS Clinical Information.
What the Mesura store listing describes
The App Store listing mentions logging drinks and circumstances, tools to overcome cravings, preparation for social events, short lessons, and progress tracking. It also features a mascot that changes with each day completed. These are features described by the product; it's advisable to check what your store version offers. Check out Mesura on the App Store and on Google Play.
One possible use is to note down a drink and the situation surrounding it, without immediately judging the record. Later you can review whether times, places, or moods are repeated. The usefulness lies in the information helping you prepare a decision, not in accumulating entries for their own sake.
How to get started in three steps
First, choose a realistic goal to observe for the week. Second, record for a few days without trying to interpret each entry separately. Third, select a recurring situation and prepare an alternative: a different drink, a different response to an offer, or a different time to leave. If the goal requires clinical support, talk to a professional before attempting a drastic change.
A slip-up can be reviewed as information. What happened before? What alternative was available? What support would you need next time? This conversation does not replace treatment when dependency exists. An app can support everyday decisions and leave room for professional review.
Price, privacy and platforms
The iOS listing shows a free download with in-app purchases and describes a one-time payment without a subscription for access. Prices and features may vary by country and date. Check the current price before purchasing and verify the Android terms and conditions separately. The listing indicates that data remains on the mobile device; see the privacy policy for details.
An example of usage over one week
On Monday, you can choose a goal: observe when your first drink of the afternoon occurs. For each entry, note an approximate amount, the context, and how you feel. After several days, check if the timing repeats or if it happens mainly after certain situations. Observation alone doesn't reveal why you drink; it offers more specific questions for the following week.
If you find that a dinner is the hardest moment, prepare a response before you arrive. Choose an alternative drink and think about what you'll say if someone offers you alcohol. You can also decide how you'll get home. The store listing describes tools for planning parties and dinner parties; check which options are available in your version and use the ones that best suit your situation.
At the end of the week, don't just count the days. Ask yourself which decisions you were able to implement and which ones require a different strategy. If you notice symptoms when cutting back or if the situation worries you, seek a professional evaluation. Keeping a record can help you describe specific patterns during the consultation.
How does a record differ from a promise of change
Recording quantities helps you remember what happened. Preparing for a situation is a different step: you decide what you will do when you encounter it again. Mesura combines both possibilities according to its description, but its actual usefulness depends on how you use it. An app cannot guarantee a specific reduction or, on its own, measure all the factors that influence consumption.
You can review a week by asking yourself if there were any unexpected moments, mood swings, or difficulties with specific plans. If you share the summary with a professional, try to describe facts and symptoms rather than general assessments. “My hands were shaking this morning” requires a different evaluation than “I had trouble saying no at a dinner party.”
What to check before installing
Confirm that you are viewing the correct app, check the device requirements, and see the price shown for your country. Read the privacy details and decide if you are comfortable keeping the log on that device. If you share the phone with other people, also consider how you will protect their access. The app store screenshot may change, so it's best to check the current listing when downloading.
Mesura is not affiliated with the Dry January challenge. If you're looking for the official challenge, check out Alcohol Change UK and Try Dry; if you're looking for a logging and situation preparation tool, evaluate which option best suits your needs. Your comparison should consider the scope of each product and the safety of any changes you plan to make.
Questions you can ask yourself when reviewing the record
When does your first drink of the day appear? What changes on weekends? Are there situations where you planned to drink but ended up not doing so? What did you do instead? These questions don't produce a diagnosis, but they transform a list of entries into information you can discuss.
Also be aware of the limitations of journaling. Sometimes you won't feel like writing an entry, or you'll remember a number later. You can correct a note and move on. If journaling causes you distress or a pattern of guilt, talk to someone you trust or a professional about how to address it. The tool should serve your purpose, not turn every day into a moral judgment.
How to prepare for a night out with a decision made in advance
Choose an alternative drink and a phrase to order it. Think about what you'll do if someone insists, if the plan runs long, or if you feel like leaving. You could go out with someone who knows your objective or arrange your transportation in advance. These are small decisions you can make without explaining them to everyone.
After the outing, review what went well. Perhaps the first hour was easy and the difficulty arose at the end; maybe the problem wasn't the offer itself, but fatigue. The next preparation can focus on that specific moment. If your consumption goal changes, also consider whether professional guidance is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mesura help you stop drinking cold turkey?
This is not a tool for deciding if that's safe. If you might be dependent or could have withdrawal symptoms, consult a professional before cutting back abruptly.
Can I use it if I'm still unsure whether I want to moderate or stop?
The store listing describes both paths. Choosing an appropriate goal, especially if there is dependency, may require professional guidance.
Does it have a subscription?
The iOS description mentions a one-time payment without a subscription, although the download is listed as free with in-app purchases. Check the current purchase screen in your country.
Does it replace therapy or medical follow-up?
No. It can help observe habits and prepare for situations, but it does not diagnose or treat alcohol use disorder.
Where can I download it?
Check the App Store or Google Play and verify your device's compatibility.
What do I do if a log shows something that worries me?
Share relevant information with a healthcare professional. You can note quantities, contexts, and specific symptoms to facilitate the conversation.