As Addiction Awareness Week 2025 comes to an end, we reflect on a powerful, inspiring and thrilling week of campaigning that evidently got the nation talking about addiction.
We were enormously proud to have the continued support of our Royal Patron, HRH The Princess of Wales, for Addiction Awareness Week. The message once again emphasised the importance of care, compassion and empathy for people living with addiction. Since 2021, HRH has helped our campaign to raise awareness of the stigma that sadly still exists around addiction - and we're very grateful to have her unwavering support.
This year’s campaign theme, The Conversation That Changed Everything, was launched by Tony Adams MBE, Forward Trust Chair of Trustees. Tony's video message galvanised our social media call-to-action with over 850,000 video views to date! It has played a vital role in helping to get other people to record their own video messages and share on their own platforms - and we were delighted with the response!
Alistair Campbell (former Downing Street director of communications, writer and podcaster), Bryony Gordon (journalist and author), Josh Connolly (author, mental health advocate and NACOA ambassador), Karl Considine (mental health and sobriety champion) among many others showed courage by sharing their own memories of a Conversation That Changed Everything for them. We'd particularly like to thank all of you in our communities that shared a video story - like Darren, Stephen, and Chantel - which was one of the key pledges for this year's campaign.
Ant and Dec once again shared a personal video message emphasising their support, "We're so proud to be supporting Addiction Awareness Week once again ... we need more compassion and understanding towards people living with addiction in the UK'.
Our latest polling data independently conducted by Ipsos was released during campaign week. The research found that more than half [53%] of adults in the UK have either personally experienced drug, alcohol, medication or gambling addiction or dependency or know someone who has, with one in ten personally affected. The findings also reveal the widespread reach of addiction across families, workplaces and communities - highlighting the importance of having that all-important first conversation about addiction and dependency (to alcohol, drugs, medication or gambling).
Stigma still remains a significant challenge for many UK adults, where people voiced being uncomfortable speaking to someone about their addiction - whether it's their employer [53%], a close family member [35%] or even their GP [27%].
These key moments of the campaign were picked-up by many of the mainstream media - including BBC News, Channel 5 News and Sky News, with a notable mention on the acclaimed podcast, 'The Rest is Politics' with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart.
We never shied away from debate either! Forward CEO, Mike Trace, wrote an op-ed for The Telegraph about the importance of Addiction Awareness Week, in response to some of the stigma that sadly still exists. We're proud to set the record straight and ensure we are delivering on our mission - to help make sure addiction is understood more compassionately and more accurately.
In our communities, Forward services and our partner networks across the country hosted pop-up events acting as safe community spaces where people could talk openly, share experiences, and connect. We were heartened that more people enquired about Forward services and partner services to enquire about support available - an important mission of the campaign.
This year's main community event, Recovery's Got Talent, took place at Hoxton Hall, London, and was buzzing with energy! Guests were treated to an uplifting night of music, poetry, storytelling and connection. Twelve unique performers entertained the crowd in this variety-style showcase event - including Guvna B, a double MOBO award-winning artist. It was an unforgettable evening that highlighted the extraordinary role that arts and music can play in sustaining long-term recovery.
Our recovery community also played a pivotal role in sharing their messages or hope and support on our virtual 'Road to Recovery'. First launched during Recovery Month (September), our Road to Recovery interactive platform enables people from all walks of life who have been touched by addiction to share their story with others by accepting a free digital brick, or through a voluntary donation.
So there you have it! Addiction Awareness Week may be ending, but the conversations have only just started!
Let's keep going!
Many people took their first step toward seeking help during Addiction Awareness Week.
If our messages on social media, video stories or campaign news inspired you, then please continue to share with family, friends, work colleagues and anyone else that might be interested in our mission to 'get the nation talking'.
Special thanks also to our Ambassadors who helped to raise the profile of this year's campaign (including Lily Allen) - we're very grateful for your support.
Together, we have shown that one conversation truly can change everything.
Support for Addiction
If you or a loved one is seeking support for addiction, you can find a number of useful links and information below:
- Specialist addiction and recovery services
- How to speak to a professional about addiction
- Crisis support signposting links
- Reach Out online chat platform (The Forward Trust)
- Forward Trust drug and alcohol services
- Clouds House - residential private rehabilitation centre in Wiltshire
Donate
If you're feeling interested in supporting others through addiction, you can donate a regular gift or one-off to Taking Action on Addiction.