Too many conversations about addiction never happen because of stigma, fear and misunderstanding.
The Big Addiction Conversation is a new national movement from The Forward Trust, created to change that.
Each year around 17,000 people die from alcohol- or drug-related causes in the UK.
We’re aiming to start 17,000 conversations about addiction – one for every life lost.
Join the movement and help change how Britain talks about addiction.
Join the Movement
Help change how Britain talks about addiction. Sign up to get involved, start conversations and support the campaign.
Our Royal Patron
Taking Action on Addiction is honoured to have the support of HRH, The Princess of Wales. Since 2021, our Royal Patron has advocated for our campaign to help change the narrative of stigma around addiction. In 2025, we were extremely grateful to receive a letter from HRH in support of our recent Addiction Awareness Week campaign.
Our Media Sponsor
We are delighted to welcome the Financial Times as Media Sponsor for this year’s Taking Action on Addiction campaign. Since 2023, they have supported our work by helping us reach new audiences, providing advertising space, and hosting events at their London headquarters. We are grateful for their continued partnership and support.
Scale of Addiction
0,000
Estimated number of people addicted to alcohol in the UK
0,000
Estimated number of people addicted to drugs in the UK
0,473
Deaths from alcohol-specific causes across the UK (2023 data)
0,000
Estimated number of people in recovery from addiction in the UK
Tony Adams MBE,
Chair of Taking Action on Addiction
— a Forward Trust Campaign
‘Addiction in the UK’ — a landmark report into the scale of addiction across Great Britain
In July 2026, The Forward Trust and Crest Advisory released a special landmark report that explained the scale, complexity, and barriers to people seeking drug, alcohol, and gambling support in the UK. As Chair of Taking Action on Addiction — a Forward Trust campaign — Tony provided a poignant Foreword to the report.
“We see it as our duty to raise public and policy awareness of addiction, the impact it has on individuals and communities, and people’s capacity for recovery. We do that through our ‘Taking Action on Addiction’ campaign.
“Please join the conversation. By talking about it in the open, together we can bring addiction and the harm it causes out of the shadows. We can reframe this issue with kindness and understanding, and we can help individuals and families coping with addiction know they are not alone.”
Stay Involved
Find out about our new campaign activities including how you can get involved in community events, social media and lending your voice to effect change.
Donate
Donate a virtual brick and leave a message of hope on our Road to Recovery.
Our interactive platform by EMA, Road to Recovery, enables people from all walks of life who have been impacted by addiction to share their story with others by accepting a free digital brick, or through a voluntary donation.
News
World Cup 2026 Rise in Gambling – One Man’s Story of Addiction and Recovery
15/07/2026
The men’s football World Cup is now in full swing, and new research has highlighted concerns that major sporting events...
Struggling services and record deaths: Major report highlights need for “reboot” of UK addiction policy
07/07/2026
A landmark report released today has for the first time revealed the extent of drug and alcohol addiction across the...
Taking Action On Addiction gearing up for a major report launch
06/07/2026
On Tuesday 7th July, Taking Action on Addiction, a Forward Trust campaign, will be at the House of Lords to...
Join Us for an Afternoon of Sober Laughing Out Loud in London
18/06/2026
Taking Action on Addiction is delighted to be supported by a special edition of Sober Comedy London, hosted by Sober...