Fifty-three per cent of UK adults either have personal experience of addiction or know someone who has, according to an IPSOS poll commissioned by the Forward Trust.
However, having ‘that first conversation’ about addiction issues remains a significant challenge, says Forward, with more than half of respondents who’d personally experienced dependency saying they’d be uncomfortable talking to their employer about the issue and 35 per cent feeling the same way about discussing it with a close family member. Around a third also said they’d be uncomfortable discussing it with a friend, GP or even their partner.
More than half of respondents, however, said they would personally intervene to help someone struggling with addiction issues. Forty one per cent disagreed with the statement that those experiencing addiction had ‘only themselves to blame’, while 31 per cent agreed.
The poll findings, which have been published as part of Addiction Awareness Week, will
form part of a ‘State of the nation’ report by Forward and Crest to be published next spring. The document will ‘examine how the scale of addiction in the UK is impacting across a range of societal issues, including homelessness, family life, the judicial system and the workplace’ the trust states
‘Addiction touches every part of our society — our families, our workplaces, and our communities,’ said Forward Trust CEO Mike Trace. ‘Yet too often, shame and misunderstanding stop people from getting the help they need. These findings show that while many people recognise addiction as something that deserves compassion, stigma and fear still stand in the way of recovery. We urgently need to change the conversation — to see addiction as a health issue, not a moral failing. With almost 18,000 people dying young each year in the UK from the direct effects of drugs, alcohol or gambling, there is an urgent need for a more compassionate response.’
Meanwhile, Alcohol Change UK has announced its partners for its 14th Dry January campaign, which include Lucky Saint, DASH, Counter Culture and Belvoir Farm. January 2025’s campaign saw 8m people attempt a full alcohol-free month with another 8.8m cutting down their intake, the charity says.
‘Every January, millions of people across the UK and the world take a month off alcohol,’ said Alcohol Change UK’s executive director of income and engagement, Danielle Houliston.
‘Our research tells us that there are many personal motivations behind giving the Dry January® challenge a go. This year, with our incredible partners, we’re aiming to capture imaginations and celebrate the wins – big and small – that we can all achieve in January and carry into the rest of the year. Each partner shares our ambition to challenge outdated norms around alcohol and champion a more empowered approach to our drinking habits.’
Full details of the Dry January campaign – and the Dry January app – available here