REGINA — A new app developed in Regina is helping those dealing with addictions and mental health.
The inspiration for AlchemistOne came from the lived experiences of CEO Adam Geiger.
“I had struggled with a gambling addiction, specifically in the sports betting and casino betting environment,” he said.
Geiger said his addiction started when he was a teenager and lasted through his adulthood, which created challenges in his life.
“There were points where I was living out of my car. I destroyed relationships and lost millions of dollars.”
Geiger said his addiction event led him to spend a week at the psychiatric ward here in Regina.
“It really just got as bad as it could possibly get.”
Despite the challenges, Geiger never gave up on finding an approach to his recovery.
“I attended 12-step meetings, all sorts of different therapists, inpatient treatment, etc.,” he said.
Where Geiger started seeing real changes was finding mindfulness and meditation.
“[I] started to rewire the way that I saw myself and the world around me.”
This sporadic change in his life led Geiger to founding the company AlchemistOne back in 2024 to help others out.
“I [wanted] a program through a mobile app that can be a daily companion for other people who maybe otherwise wouldn't have found this on their own path of addiction recovery.”
So, Geiger and his team helped design the AlchemistOne app, which is built on three core pillars.
The first is the practice of mindfulness and meditation.
“We have audio content, podcasts, meditations, audio reflections from people all around the world, all who have suffered or lived through addictions or mental health issues of their own,” said Geiger.
“Those audio and video sessions give a space for mindful reflection through meditation and just an active practice."
The second pillar is physical activity.
“We offer in-app movement tracking and allow physical activity to become a little bit more part of one’s recovery and something that you can track.”
The last pillar is reflection, where users can write journals, insights and gratitude lists on their experiences.
The app had been in beta test for two months and was officially launched this week.
During the test, Geiger said 3,500 users downloaded the app.
He also mentioned seeing users return for consecutive days, engaging in audio content.
“Our goal is to be that 24 seven companion. When people can't pick up the phone and talk to a counsellor, or there is no access to a 12-step group,” said Chelsea Galloway, co-founder of AlchemistOne.
Along with individuals, AlchemistOne will be piloted by several therapists in Ontario and Alberta.
Currently, the app is available to download in primarily English-speaking countries on iOS and Android devices.
Geiger said they’re looking at releasing a global solution in the future.
