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Welcome to

Taking Action On Addiction

Taking Action on Addiction is a campaign to improve understanding of addiction and end the stigma that surrounds it.

We are calling for addiction to be treated as a serious mental health condition and for increased access to support so that recovery can be possible for everyone.

This year's campaign theme is 'Everybody Knows Somebody'

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NEW CAMPAIGN

Addiction Awareness Week 2023

It's back and this year we're striving to achieve more than ever - building on the momentum of previous years with an exciting roster of activities and events. Join us!

LIVE EVENT - VIEW NOW

Watch again - "Let's Talk About Addiction" event (2nd November 2023, 7:00 - 8:45pm)

This inspiring, heartfelt and emotional event - held live at The Brink, Liverpool - was recorded on 2nd November 2023. Hosted by Bryony Gordon, this incredible live event featured special guests with their own stories of recovery and addiction, alongside an exclusive musical performance by Liverpool legend, Dave McCabe and James 'Jay' Lewis

THEME FOR 2023

Everybody Knows Somebody

Find out more about this year's campaign theme and also the four pillars that contribute to addiction in society.

Latest updates

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6 December 2023

Partner blog: Everybody Knows Somebody - A Poem by Julie Hughes (Nacoa)

22 November 2023

Case study: ‘Sober life in Ireland is difficult. But recovery has been kind to me so far’ - by Dwayne Woods (Artist Manager, Music Publicist and Consultant)

8 November 2023

Partner blog: Addiction Awareness Week - Thought Leadership - 'Everybody knows somebody' (by Katy Stafford, Nacoa chair)

4 November 2023

Partner blog: Rethinking how we view addiction could avoid family trauma (Phoenix Futures)

3 November 2023

A Message from The Princess of Wales this Addiction Awareness Week

2 November 2023

Partner blog: Everyone Knows Someone: Shedding Light on the Addiction Crisis - by FAVOR

1 November 2023

Partner spotlight: Music Support - Sober Dave ‘One for the Road’ podcast - with Trustee, Rachael Lander

30 October 2023

NEWS RELEASE: Almost Half of Brits Impacted by Addiction, Yet Stigma Continues to Silence The Nation

30 October 2023

BLOG: The Devastating Impact of Addiction is Clear - Stigma Continues to Silence The Nation – by Sally Benton
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53% of people feel unable to confide in someone about their addiction concerns, or even raise concerns about someone they care about

Ipsos Poll (October 2023)

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Stigma, shame and the opinions of others prevents people living with addiction from seeking the help and support they need

Ipsos Poll (October 2023)

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Half of adults living with addiction also have high levels of co-existing mental and physical health issues including psychological and financial problems.

Ipsos Poll (October 2023)

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Almost half of our survey sample have personal experiences of living with an addiction - alcohol, gambling, or drugs - or know someone close to them that has.

Ipsos Poll (October 2023)

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More than half of people that start on a recovery journey from addiction report a number of beneficial changes to their physical and mental health.

Ipsos Poll (October 2023) 

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Read about

Where it started - our 2021 campaign launch

Watch

A message from our Patron, HRH Princess of Wales (2022)

Listen to

Bryony Gordon's addiction awareness podcast
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Reach Out - our online messaging support service (9am-3pm, Monday-Friday)

Worried about addiction or someone else's?

The Forward Trust offer free, confidential advice on a range of issues, including drug or alcohol worries and mental health – whether they affect you directly or a friend or relative.