GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- National Institute For Alcohol Recovery (NIFAR®) is launching a global recovery and prevention campaign called STOP DRINKING 411 to combat prevalent alcohol abuse. Social media websites and educational web videos are driving the campaign, which encourages people to stop and evaluate their drinking behavior.

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The core of the new campaign is the website, www.stopdrinking411.com. It delivers instant and reliable information, separates myths from facts, and presents the latest research and recovery options available. Visitors can instantly access original programs in alcohol recovery, family support, and youth awareness via high-speed streaming audio and downloads for an iPod® or mp3 player. This is a breakthrough in convenience and privacy in the alcohol recovery field.

On the heels of its remarkable success in alcohol recovery, NIFAR is also launching the next generation of the Regenerate® program in time for New Year's resolutions. This updated, digital program is now available online via high-speed streaming audio and downloads for an iPod® or mp3 player. The new Regenerate will help even more problem drinkers by providing immediate, private recovery - anytime or anywhere. NIFAR is also offering free support by expert staff, 24/7, to ensure success.

Dr. Devang Gandhi, board-certified physician in addiction medicine and senior medical advisor to NIFAR, stated, "Most people who abuse alcohol do not seek help due to personal embarrassment, disruption of daily routines, and the high cost of rehab which is typically not covered by insurance. Regenerate is specifically designed to overcome all these barriers." This is unprecedented in available recovery options.

Dr. Thomas Goldbaum, Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University, board-certified cardiologist, and member of the NIFAR medical advisory board, noted, "Traditionally, physicians have had few recovery options to recommend without sacrificing patient privacy.

"I believe Regenerate is a highly beneficial program. Now, we can quickly refer it to patients to begin immediate recovery in total privacy," said Goldbaum.

This STOP DRINKING 411 campaign comes at a time when alcohol abuse is having a devastating socio-economic impact. Untreated addiction is costing the U.S. $400 billion per year[1]. On-the-job productivity losses attributed to alcohol are estimated at $119 billion per year[2]. Also, every American adult pays a minimum of $1,000 per year for the damages of addiction[3].

Further, millions of people suffer by living with someone with an addiction. Alcohol has been involved in marital violence caused by 57% of men and 27% of women[4]. In fact, alcohol abusers are twice as likely to be divorced than those not abusing alcohol[5]. Also, children of alcoholics are often neglected or even abused as the result of their parents' addiction.

The STOP DRINKING 411 campaign is another example of how NIFAR is advancing alcohol prevention and recovery programs for home use. Since 2005, NIFAR has transformed thousands of lives with the Regenerate® recovery plan. To learn more about this dynamic new campaign please visit www.stopdrinking411.com, or contact Kamran Loghman, Executive Director of NIFAR, at nifar@nifar.org.

About NIFAR®

NIFAR is an organization of devoted recovery experts and addiction researchers. Its goal is to advance recovery with the latest proven techniques. In addition to Regenerate, NIFAR offers a family support program called Restore® that provides effective tools for loved ones to cope with the challenges of recovery. Also, NIFAR has a fun and informative Youth Awareness program that gives teens vital information to help them make smart decisions. The tone of each program is positive and uplifting and conveys enthusiasm for the participant's future. All segments reinforce daily empowerment, healing, and lasting change.

[1] Schneider Institute for Health Policy. (2001). Substance Abuse: The Nation's Number One Health Problem. Waltham, MA: Brandeis University. [University Report].

[2] Fountain, D., Harwood, H., Livermore, G.,1998, The Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the United States. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Rockville, MD. [Government Report].

[3] The White House. (1997). The National Drug Control Strategy. Washington, DC. [White House Report].

[4] Roizen, J., (1997). "Epidemiological Issues in Alcohol-Related Violence. In: M. Galanter, ed., Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Vol. New York: Plenum Press.

[5] Goodwin, Donald W., 2004, Alcoholism The Facts, Oxford University Press, Oxford, England, p.47

SOURCE NIFAR

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.nifar.org
http://www.stopdrinking411.com