More than half [53%] of adults in the UK have either personally experienced addiction or know someone who has, with one in ten personally affected, according to a new poll to mark Addiction Awareness Week.
The findings, released today by the Forward Trust reveal the widespread reach of addiction across families, workplaces and communities — and a pressing need for greater awareness, understanding, and support. The data is released as part of the Taking Action on Addiction Campaign, launched by HRH The Princess of Wales in 2021, which aims to Get The Nation Talking About Addiction to tackle stigma as a barrier to accessing support. It comes as the latest official figures reveal 18,000 deaths in the UK last year from the direct effects of drugs[i], alcohol[ii] or gambling, underlining the critical need for an urgent and compassionate response.
The survey carried out by IPSOS in October 2025, reveals that having that first conversation about addiction and dependency on alcohol, drugs, medication or gambling remains a significant challenge for many UK adults. Of those who said that they had personally experienced an addiction or dependency, [53%] reported that they would be uncomfortable speaking with their employer about their situation; [35%] with a close family member; [30%] with a friend; [28%] with their GP; [27%] with their partner.
But while stigma remains an issue, the poll reveals encouraging data on attitudes to addiction. While almost a third [31%] of those polled agreed with the statement that those who experience addiction have only themselves to blame, encouragingly one in four disagreed [41%]. Eight out ten [81%] of UK adults polled agreed that those experiencing addiction or dependency on alcohol, drugs, medication or gambling should be treated as individuals who are struggling and need help and half [51%] reporting they would personally intervene to help someone experiencing addiction and [64%] reporting they would seek help from others.
The Poll on UK public attitudes to addiction and dependency was conducted by Ipsos in October 2025 on behalf of the Forward Trust. Its findings will form part of a planned State of the Nation report which is being produced by Forward Trust in partnership with Crest, which is due for release in Spring 2026 and will examine how the scale of addiction in the UK is impacting across a range of societal issues, including homelessness, family life, the judicial system and workplace.
Mike Trace, CEO Forward Trust, leading the Taking Action on Addiction Campaign, said: “Addiction touches every part of our society — our families, our workplaces, and our communities. Yet too often, shame and misunderstanding stop people from getting the help they need. These findings show that while many people recognise addiction as something that deserves compassion, stigma and fear still stand in the way of recovery. We urgently need to change the conversation — to see addiction as a health issue, not a moral failing. With almost 18,000 people dying young each year in the UK from the direct effects of drugs, alcohol or gambling, there is an urgent need for a more compassionate response. Our Taking Action on Addiction campaign aims to get the nation talking about these hidden tragedies, but also the hope and celebration of those who do survive and thrive. Everyone deserves the chance to recover, and that starts with greater awareness, understanding, and access to support.”
Poll in pictures
