Catherine urges end to stigma around addiction

Published: 24 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Princess of Wales has called for an end to the long-standing “stigma” surrounding addiction, emphasising the need for empathy and support for people struggling with alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Speaking ahead of Addiction Awareness Week, which runs from 23 to 30 November, Catherine said that society has made “significant progress” in understanding addiction, but warned that more action is urgently needed to address fear, shame, and judgement.

As patron of The Forward Trust, a charity committed to breaking the cycle of addiction, Catherine highlighted the importance of compassionate approaches to support individuals and their families. She described addiction not as a choice or a personal failing, but as a “complex mental health condition” that requires understanding and care rather than condemnation. Her message urged communities to step forward with practical support and human kindness to help those affected.

“Even now, in 2025, people’s experience of addiction is shaped by fear, shame, and judgement,” the princess said. “This needs to change. The stigma surrounding those who face addiction allows it to thrive behind closed doors, impacting families, communities, and ultimately ruining lives.” She explained that anyone could know someone struggling with addiction, whether directly or indirectly, and emphasised the role of conversation and listening in initiating recovery.

Catherine encouraged families, friends, and communities to reach out to organisations such as The Forward Trust for guidance and help. “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 said, stressing that compassionate engagement can often be the first step toward meaningful change.

Addiction Awareness Week, launched by Catherine in 2021 on behalf of the Forward Trust, forms part of the charity’s Taking Action on Addiction campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness, break down prejudice, and highlight the importance of timely intervention. Catherine has repeatedly drawn parallels between addiction and mental health, advocating for public understanding and the removal of societal barriers that prevent people from seeking help.

This year, her message continues to underscore the critical link between support networks and successful recovery. The princess called for open conversations that can bring addiction and the harm it causes “out of the shadows,” insisting that only through dialogue can stigma be dismantled and people encouraged to seek treatment. “Now is the moment to show our compassion and love, to help those affected, or their friends and family, reach out to organisations like The Forward Trust for support,” she added.

Catherine’s advocacy on addiction is part of a broader commitment to mental health and social welfare issues. In 2022, she publicly encouraged people struggling with addiction not to let shame prevent them from seeking help. She emphasised the need for a more compassionate public attitude toward those living with substance dependence or behavioural disorders, reinforcing that recovery should be approached as a societal priority rather than a private failing.

The Forward Trust has long championed the idea that addiction cannot be addressed through isolation or punishment alone. The charity provides comprehensive support, including employment assistance, counselling, and services aimed at prisoners and former offenders. Its programmes focus on helping individuals rebuild their lives, develop coping mechanisms, and reintegrate into society while mitigating the long-term effects of addiction.

Former England and Arsenal football captain Tony Adams, who spent eleven years struggling with alcohol and substance addiction, has collaborated with the Forward Trust to produce a series of films highlighting the power of open conversation in recovery. In one film, Adams recounts that a single conversation with his mother-in-law Barbara was the pivotal moment that encouraged him to seek help. He explained: “If you are struggling with an addiction or a mental health issue, then please reach out and get the appropriate help. The greatest thing I ever did was to say, ‘I can’t do this’.”

Adams now serves as chairman of trustees at the Forward Trust, using his experiences to guide public awareness and reduce stigma around addiction. His involvement with the charity exemplifies the importance of combining lived experience with professional support, demonstrating to the public that recovery is possible with the right interventions.

Before becoming the Forward Trust’s patron, Catherine visited the charity’s substance misuse services at HMP Send, a women’s prison in Surrey, where she witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by inmates struggling with addiction. These visits informed her advocacy and reinforced her commitment to increasing public understanding of addiction’s complexity. The Forward Trust has highlighted the scale of gambling problems and substance abuse in prisons, calling for greater recognition and support for affected inmates.

Experts in the field agree that public awareness and compassionate support are vital to addressing the root causes of addiction. Addiction is frequently linked to social and psychological pressures, making empathy from families, communities, and policymakers essential to preventing harm and promoting recovery. Catherine’s message underscores that recovery is not an individual burden but a collective responsibility, requiring both resources and societal understanding.

The princess’ continued advocacy also reflects a growing recognition among policymakers and charities that stigma acts as a barrier to treatment. By normalising conversations about addiction and encouraging proactive support, initiatives such as Addiction Awareness Week aim to reduce isolation and foster environments where people feel safe to seek help.

Furthermore, Catherine stressed that tackling stigma benefits not only individuals struggling with addiction but also wider communities. Addiction’s ripple effects extend to families, workplaces, and public services, making it a societal issue that requires coordinated effort and compassion. “The stigma surrounding addiction allows it to thrive behind closed doors,” the princess warned. “When people are afraid to speak openly, the problem grows silently, affecting everyone connected to the individual struggling.”

Catherine’s remarks come amid continued public debate about the UK’s approach to substance misuse, gambling, and mental health support. Charities and public health organisations have increasingly highlighted gaps in treatment access, funding, and follow-up care, noting that early intervention and community-based support are essential to preventing long-term harm. By championing empathy and understanding, the princess hopes to encourage systemic improvements alongside cultural change.

In conclusion, the Princess of Wales urged people to embrace openness, compassion, and practical support for those battling addiction. By challenging stigma and fostering understanding, she highlighted that recovery is achievable with the right care and encouragement. Her advocacy through the Forward Trust continues to inspire communities, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to act decisively to break the cycle of addiction and offer hope to those most affected.