QuitAndRecovery.org’s Global Mission to Support Those Overcoming Addiction

Addiction touches millions of lives around the world — affecting individuals, families, and communities. But what if every person in recovery could not only heal but also contribute to scientific understanding and help others on the same journey? That’s the powerful idea behind QuitAndRecovery.org, home of the International Quit & Recovery Registry (IQRR) — a unique platform blending community, research, and lived experience to transform how we think about recovery. IQRR

A Registry Built by Recovery Heroes

At its heart, QuitAndRecovery.org is more than just a website — it’s a global community for individuals who have overcome addiction and wish to support others on their own recovery journey. Participants, known as “Recovery Heroes,” share their personal experiences through monthly online research assessments and questionnaires. These insights help scientists better understand how people achieve long-term sobriety and what factors contribute to relapse or success. IQRR

Sponsored by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech, the IQRR isn’t a treatment provider — rather, it’s a pioneering research and support registry that taps into real human stories to fuel both academic knowledge and community encouragement. IQRR

Why QuitAndRecovery.org Matters

1. Groundbreaking Research on Recovery

Traditional addiction research often focuses on treatment and the moment someone stops using substances. The International Quit & Recovery Registry shifts the lens to what happens after — how people maintain recovery over months and years, which strategies help most, and how lifestyle factors like decision-making and future planning influence outcomes. IQRR

Studies emerging from IQRR data explore:

• How valuing future rewards relates to healthier behaviors and lower relapse risk. IQRR

• The link between impulsivity and quality of life in recovery. IQRR

• The role of self-confidence and family history in sustained sobriety. IQRR

This research not only advances science but helps shape better support systems for those in recovery around the world. IQRR

Joining the Movement: What Members Experience

When individuals register on QuitAndRecovery.org, they become part of something much bigger than themselves. Membership is free and confidential, and participants can:

✨ Take Monthly Assessments

These online surveys help collect valuable data while offering members ongoing engagement in research. IQRR

💰 Earn Rewards

Members earn points for completing assessments — and those points are redeemable for cash, offering a tangible acknowledgment of the time and courage it takes to share personal recovery journeys. IQRR

🤝 Build Community

The platform allows members to connect, share stories, and encourage others. There’s even an interactive world map showing Recovery Heroes across the globe. IQRR

A Holistic Support Hub

QuitAndRecovery.org goes beyond research surveys. The site’s Resources section offers a rich library of tools and support options, including:

• Support systems and therapist search links. IQRR

• Personal stories and testimonials. IQRR

• Tobacco and alcohol cessation guidance. IQRR

• News updates, calendar events, and artistic expression features. IQRR

These elements reflect a broad understanding of recovery — recognizing that quitting substances is only one part of a lifelong journey toward health and purpose. IQRR

From Roanoke to the World

Based in Roanoke, Virginia, and associated with Virginia Tech’s Addiction Recovery Research Center, the IQRR has attracted participants from around the globe — underscoring how universal the challenges of addiction and recovery truly are. MapQuest

Although not a clinical treatment program, QuitAndRecovery.org’s community-driven approach fills a vital gap: by valuing lived experience as data, the registry helps researchers uncover patterns in recovery that traditional clinical studies often overlook. minnesotarecovery.org

Why It’s More Than Data

What makes QuitAndRecovery.org special isn’t just its research — it’s its respect for the human journey. Members are called Recovery Heroes because they’ve battled adversity and are willing to share their stories to help others. This combination of science and compassion builds a supportive space where recovery is seen not just as abstinence, but as resilience, growth, and community engagement. IQRR

Looking Forward

As addiction and recovery continue to be urgent public health concerns, platforms like QuitAndRecovery.org are reshaping how we support people in recovery. By harnessing real stories and insights from those who’ve succeeded — and learning from challenges along the way — this registry is helping pave the way for more empathetic, effective, and informed recovery strategies worldwide. IQRR