FAQ
Straight answers
The questions people ask before they trust a place like this. Short, honest, no catch.
Is Tideline really free?
Yes — completely. No payment, no subscription, no ads, no upsell, and no account to create. It was built to help, not to sell.
Is my information private?
Yes. Everything you do here — waves, self-checks, notes — is saved only in your own browser, on your own device. It is never sent to a server, because there is no server collecting it. No analytics, no trackers, no third parties. You can even add a passphrase lock on a shared device. Here’s exactly how.
Do I need an account or to give my email?
No. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to log in to. You can use every part of Tideline without telling it who you are.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Once you’ve opened it, Tideline works with no connection — useful at the exact moment a craving hits. You can also add it to your home screen and open it like an app.
What is “urge surfing”?
It’s a simple, well-known skill: instead of fighting a craving, you stay with it and let it pass. Urges rise, crest, and fall on their own — usually within minutes. The Wave walks you through one. Why it works →
Which addictions or habits does it cover?
Any habit that’s started to cost you. The craving science is the same whether it’s alcohol, nicotine or vaping, gambling, gaming, pornography, social media and scrolling, shopping, or food — so the tools work across all of them. You can also name your own.
Can Tideline diagnose me, or treat an addiction?
No — and it won’t pretend to. Tideline is educational self-help, not medical care. The self-checks are based on well-known public screening tools and can help you reflect, but they are not a diagnosis. For diagnosis or treatment, talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.
Is it safe to quit on my own?
For most habits, trying to cut down or stop on your own is reasonable. There is one important exception: if you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be medically dangerous (it can cause seizures). The same caution applies to some drugs like benzodiazepines. Please don’t quit those cold turkey alone — read why and speak to a doctor first.
Can this replace therapy, a doctor, or a meeting?
No. Think of Tideline as something you keep in your pocket alongside real support — a therapist, a doctor, a group, a friend. It’s there at 2am when they can’t be. If you can reach a person, that’s almost always better.
I slipped. Did I fail? Does my progress reset?
No. A slip is information, not a verdict — and nothing here resets to zero. Every wave you’ve ridden still counts. Logging a hard moment honestly is one of the most useful things you can do. Why “Day 1” thinking hurts →
Who made this? Is it medically reviewed?
Tideline is built with care by an individual who is not a licensed clinician, and it is not medically reviewed. The content draws on well-known, publicly available resources and is written to be honest about what it is and isn’t. More about that →
If you’re in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please don’t wait on a craving alone — reach a real person now.