2025-10-24
Timelock for substance use
Disclaimer
Substance in question could be legal (like alcohol) or illegal. Obviously I can't comment on illegal substance use online.
After experimenting with multiple options, here is what I currently consider a good solution given my personal constraints
- Use timelock.dev to generate a passcode.
- Make sure it is too long to remember. Set time atleast 6-12 hours depending on the substance you are consuming.
- Change the passcode of your device to this passcode. If on iphone, click the button that ensures the old passcode is not preserved for 72 hours more.
- Save the encrypted file in a protonmail account whose password you remember, and which does not use device 2FA. Gmail and ios accounts use 2FA implicitly. (Remember, all your devices are locked.)
- Forget the passcode.
- Ask another person for help with logistics such as booking a cab back home.
- Don't do this entire plan if no such trusted person exists.
- Don't do this entire plan if you have responsibilities that require you staying sober. For instance any work-related engagements, or driving other people, or checking in on their safety.
Solutions I found inadequate
- Applock that blocks some apps but not others. Apps that you leave unblocked can still be used for contacting people you don't want to contact.
- Timelock that can be break out of, using ios recovery options. Non-sober you is still intelligent enough to break out of them.
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