Who Builds Forge
Nicholas Arata
Founder, Forge Freedom Labs
Nick built Forge after recognising a gap in recovery tools: most apps offered day counters but no structured plan, no craving support, and no understanding of the neuroscience behind why people relapse. Forge is his attempt to build the system he wished existed — one that takes the science seriously and gives people something to do every day, not just a number to watch grow.
Forge is an independent product, not backed by pharmaceutical companies, addiction treatment centres, or any organisation with a financial interest in how the content is written. The app makes money through subscriptions, which means the incentive is simple: help people actually quit.
Editorial Standards
Forge publishes evidence-based guides on addiction, withdrawal, and recovery. These articles cover YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) health topics, which means we hold them to a high factual standard. Here is how we approach them:
Primary sources only
Claims about withdrawal timelines, clinical criteria, and treatment efficacy are sourced from peer-reviewed journals, DSM-5, NIAAA guidelines, WHO reports, SAMHSA data, and established clinical guidance (Ashton Manual, NICE guidelines). We do not cite secondary summaries or wellness blogs as sources for clinical claims.
Medical safety first
Any content about substances with dangerous withdrawal profiles (alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids) includes explicit warnings about seeking medical supervision before stopping. We do not understate withdrawal risk or suggest that willpower alone is sufficient for physically dependent people.
No sponsored content
Forge does not accept sponsored content, affiliate fees from treatment centres, or payment to mention specific products. When we recommend resources (Gamblers Anonymous, SAMHSA, GamCare), it is because the evidence supports them — not because of a commercial relationship.
Updated when evidence changes
Articles include a dateModified field. When clinical guidance changes — for example, if new evidence emerges about PAWS duration or medication efficacy — we update the relevant articles and mark the modification date.
What Forge Is Not
Forge is a recovery tracking and support tool, not a medical service. The AI coach, streak tracker, and Vice Grip plan are peer-support and accountability tools — not a replacement for addiction medicine, detox programmes, or therapy. If you are in crisis, call SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, 24/7).
Contact
Questions about our content or editorial approach: [email protected]