Addiction Awareness Week has highlighted the scale of addiction across the UK, with new polling suggesting that more than half of adults have either personally experienced addiction or know someone who has.
The research, commissioned by the Forward Trust, points to the far-reaching impact of dependency on alcohol, drugs, medication or gambling across families, workplaces and wider communities. One in ten respondents said they had been personally affected, reflecting how common the issue has become in everyday life.
The data forms part of the Taking Action on Addiction campaign, launched in 2021 by HRH The Princess of Wales, which aims to encourage more open conversations about addiction and challenge stigma as a barrier to seeking help. The figures have been published during Addiction Awareness Week, alongside a call for a national conversation about addiction and recovery. The need is underscored by recent statistics showing 18,000 deaths in the UK last year linked directly to drugs, alcohol or gambling.
The IPSOS survey from October 2025 suggests that the first step into support remains one of the hardest. A majority of respondents who had personally experienced addiction said they would feel uncomfortable speaking about their situation with an employer. Substantial numbers also reported discomfort talking to close family members, friends, GPs or partners. For many, shame and fear of judgement continue to influence decisions about whether to seek help.
Public attitudes towards addiction, however, appear to be shifting. Although almost a third of those polled agreed with the view that people experiencing addiction have only themselves to blame, a larger proportion disagreed. Most respondents supported the idea that addiction should be understood as an issue of struggle and that those affected should receive help. Many said they would intervene personally if someone close to them was experiencing addiction and most felt they would seek support from others if they faced the same situation.
This tension between compassion and stigma forms the focus of this year’s Taking Action on Addiction activity. The Forward Trust has launched a new film fronted by Tony Adams MBE, the charity’s Chair and former England and Arsenal captain, as part of a series titled The Conversation That Changed Everything. Adams, who spent eleven years in addiction, describes a conversation with his mother-in-law as a turning point that encouraged him to get help. In the film, he urges anyone struggling to reach out and accept support, and says that admitting he could not cope alone was the most important decision he made.
The findings from the poll will feed into a State of the Nation report, to be published in spring 2026 by the Forward Trust in partnership with Crest Advisory. The report will examine the wider impact of addiction across society, including homelessness, family relationships, the justice system and the workplace.
Forward Trust CEO Mike Trace said addiction continues to affect every part of society and that stigma and misunderstanding still prevent many people from seeking support. He called for addiction to be recognised as a health issue rather than a matter of personal blame, and for more awareness, understanding and access to treatment to help people move into recovery.
Visit the campaign website to find out more
takingactiononaddiction.org.uk
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This content was created by the Forward Trust as part of their Addiction Awareness week campaign. takingactiononaddiction.org.uk