The Princess of Wales has issued a powerful call to end the stigma surrounding addiction, urging society to replace fear and judgement with compassion and love for those struggling with dependency.
A Royal Plea for Compassion
Marking Addiction Awareness Week, which runs from 23 to 30 November, Kate emphasised that addiction is not a choice but a complex mental health condition. Speaking as patron of the Forward Trust, the charity leading the week-long campaign, she stated that society's experience of addiction remains "shaped by fear, shame and judgement" even in 2025.
The Princess, who launched the first Addiction Awareness Week in 2021, stressed that stigma allows addiction to "thrive behind closed doors, impacting families and communities, and ultimately ruining lives." She encouraged open conversations to bring the issue out of the shadows and highlighted that many people know someone struggling with addiction.
Survey Reveals Stigma's Impact
Supporting the Princess's message, the Forward Trust released an Ipsos survey conducted in October that reveals the extent of addiction's reach and the barriers created by stigma.
The poll of 2,124 adults found that 53% had personal experience of addiction or knew someone who did. However, the data shows significant reluctance to discuss these struggles:
- 53% would be uncomfortable speaking with their employer
- 35% would be uncomfortable speaking with a close family member
- 30% would be uncomfortable speaking with a friend
- 28% would be uncomfortable speaking with their GP
- 27% would be uncomfortable speaking with their partner
While 31% of those questioned agreed that people experiencing addiction have only themselves to blame, a more encouraging 41% disagreed with this statement.
Voices of Recovery and Hope
Former England and Arsenal football captain Tony Adams, a recovered alcoholic who now serves as chairman of trustees at the Forward Trust, has recorded a video sharing his own experience. He highlights the conversation with his mother-in-law that started his journey to seeking help.
"If you are struggling with an addiction or a mental health issue, then please reach out and get the appropriate help," Adams urges. "The greatest thing I ever did was to say, 'I can't do this'."
The Princess echoed this message of hope, stating: "Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care."
She concluded with a call to action for the public to join the conversation, emphasising that through open discussion and understanding, we can help individuals and families coping with addiction know they are not alone.
