Join a study loooking at how to reduce alcohol consumption in the Armed Forces. Click here to find out more
DrinksRation - an Android and iOS app for Armed Forces personnel
Feel better and save money by drinking less alcohol

Features

DrinksRation has been designed to help you monitor and manage your alcohol consumption. The app allows you to set goals and compare the amount you drink to others.

Personalised

DrinksRation provides tailored support to help you cut down your drinking by learning your drinking behaviours.

Responsive

DrinksRation automatically detects changes in your drinking behaviour and provides real time tailored support to help you cut down.

Secure

DrinksRation gives you control of your data, and you can request a copy, delete or change the data you give us at any time.

faq

Don't worry if your question is not answered here, you can always get in touch to ask us your question!

What is DrinksRation?

DrinksRation is a smartphone app designed to reduce alcohol misuse in the Armed Forces. This combination means that DrinksRation and the messages we send to you are personalised around your own goals and lifestyle. This allows us to support you to make changes you want to your drinking.

Who created DrinksRation?

DrinksRation is a collaborative project between King’s Centre for Military Health Research, Combat Stress. and Lancaster University.

Why do you need my mobile number?

In some cases we may ask for your mobile number to allow us to send you personalised messages to help cut down your drinking. You can stop these messages at any time by replying STOP or by heading to the 'Settings' tab in the app.

Can I get access to my data?

You can email us at [email protected] to request a copy.

Who has access to my data?

Only those involved in managing DrinksRation will have access to personally identifiable data. We will not share personally identifiable data with anyone outside the research team. However, we may publish data such as drinking diary, questionnaire scores and physical health status anonymously. You can opt-out of this data sharing at any time through the 'Settings' tab.

Can I delete my data?

You can delete your account and all data via the app. Visit the 'Settings' tab of the app and click 'Delete Account'.

I have another question?

Please send us an email to [email protected] or contact Dr Daniel Leightley.

About

  • 2016

    From inception to funding

    In 2016 the Medical Research Council funded the design, development and feasibility of an app to support Armed Forces personnel who drink at a hazardous level. It was from this grant that
    DrinksRation was born.

  • 2017

    Feasibility trial

    To test the validity of DrinksRation, we trialled it in 31 veterans of the UK Armed Forces, and interviewed 29 of them to gain their feedback about the app.

  • 2018

    The results of the feasibility trial

    After analysing all the data, we found that DrinksRation was a feasible way of supporting the Armed Forces in reducing the amount they drink. We published the code open source and published our qualitative and quantitative findings.

  • 2019

    Media attention

    The success of DrinksRation attracted media attention from the Metro, Independent and The Telegraph.

  • 2019-2022

    Randomised Controlled Trial: Combat Stress

    With funding from the Forces in Mind Trust, and in collaboration with Combat Stress, we conducted a Randomised Controlled Trial of DrinksRation with veterans who have received treatment for a mental health condition. We found that the app was effective in reducing the amount veterans drink.

  • 2022

    Public release

    Following on from the success of the DrinksRation trial, we released the app publicly. Anyone can download and use it.

  • 2023

    Office for Veterans' Affairs

    With funding from the Office for Veterans' Affairs, and in collaboration with Combat Stress, we are exploring the unique needs of female veterans.

  • 2023

    Serving trial

    Following the success of DrinksRation, the app is currently being tested in 2,000 military personnel.

  • Be Part
    Of Our
    Story!

Our Team

Dan Leightley

Dan Leightley

Laura Goodwin

Laura Goodwin

Dominic Murphy

Dominic Murphy

Nicola Fear

Nicola Fear

Roberto Rona

Roberto Rona

Maj PA Simms

Maj PA Simms

James Shearer

James Shearer

Charlotte Williamson

Charlotte Williamson​

Grace Williamson

Grace Williamson​

We're open to collabration. Get in touch with your idea!