Princess of Wales calls for end to ‘stigma’ around addiction

The Princess of Wales called for an end to the “stigma” surrounding addiction and urged people to offer “empathy and support” to those addicted to alcohol, drugs or gambling.

In a message to mark Addiction Awareness Week, Catherine said “significant progress” had been made to better understand addiction but warned more needed to be done.

The Princess is patron of The Forward Trust, a charity working to break the cycle of addiction, and is behind the campaign, which runs from 23-30 November.

Catherine, who also campaigns on mental health issues, draws parallels between the two conditions in her message.

Addiction, he said, “is not a choice or a personal failing, but a complex mental health condition that must be met with empathy and support.”

He added: “But still, even in 2025, people’s experience of addiction is shaped by fear, shame and judgement. This needs to change.

“The stigma surrounding those facing addiction causes addiction to thrive behind closed doors, impacting families and communities, and ultimately devastating lives.”

The Princess said many people know someone struggling with addiction.

“Now is the time to show our compassion and love to help them or their friends and family reach out to organizations like The Forward Trust for support,” he said.

“Healing is difficult, but possible with the right treatment. It starts with a conversation, a listening ear, and showing that we care.”

Catherine launched the first Addiction Awareness Week in 2021 on behalf of the foundation and the Taking Action Against Addiction campaign.

He concluded his message by urging people to have open conversations to bring addiction and the harm it causes “out of the shadows.”

This isn’t the first time Catherine has done this. He talked about addiction.

In 2022, he offered personal support to people struggling with addictions, telling them that shame should not stop them from getting help and encouraging a more compassionate public attitude towards the condition.

Former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams, who spent 11 years with addiction, also recorded a video to launch a series of films showing the power of open conversations on the recovery journey.

In the film, she reveals that a conversation with her mother-in-law, Barbara, was the catalyst for getting help.

Adams, who is now chairman of the Forward Trust’s board of trustees, said: “If you are struggling with an addiction or mental health issue, please reach out and get the appropriate help. The best thing I ever did was say, ‘I can’t do this.'”

The charity provides services such as helping with employment and addressing the problems of addicts and addictions in prison.

Before becoming patron of the Forward Trust, the Princess of Wales had twice visited the charity’s substance abuse services at HMP Send, a women’s prison in Surrey.

The foundation also called for greater recognition of the extent of gambling in prisons.