Imagine someone you love was struggling with addiction. How would you want them to be treated? With kindness? Without judgement? With support, understanding and the chance to get better? Addiction can affect anyone, and the way we respond can make a real difference. But stigma and misconceptions can make it harder for people to ask for help or feel understood. Through The Big Addiction Conversation, we're encouraging people to challenge assumptions, listen to different experiences and talk more openly about addiction. How would you want someone you love to be treated? Tell us in the comments. 👇 This card - and many others - are part of our Digital Conversation Generator card series. Test your knowledge and reflect on your answers by visiting our Campaign Hub. takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation

So many stories. So many conversations. One shared purpose. More than 80 people came together at The Abbey Centre in Westminster to kick off The Big Addiction Conversation, an afternoon of connection, inspiration, laughter and powerful stories of recovery. 💙 From Nisha and Curtis sharing their lived experiences to a brilliant closing from Tony Adams MBE, Chair of The Forward Trust, the event was a reminder of the power of coming together, sharing our stories and listening to one another. But this is only the beginning. Through The Big Addiction Conversation, we want to spark 17,000 conversations about addiction over the next year, helping challenge stigma, break down misconceptions and make it easier for people to talk openly about addiction. Every conversation counts. Every story matters. Read more about the event: takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation

Did you know that just 1% of people accessing drug and alcohol treatment receive state-funded residential rehabilitation? A new scheme, delivered through Open Houses, will allow health professionals and commissioners a chance to visit a number of residential services to see how they work. Attendees can chat to teams, see the facilities, and learn more about why residential treatment might be the right option for some of their client groups. As part of The Big Addiction Conversation, we're proud to say that The Forward Trust is taking part, opening its doors to The Bridges, Hull (9 Oct) and Clouds House, Wiltshire (16 Nov) Start a conversation at your next Open House visit. 📍 Book an Open House near you: openhouses.org.uk/plan-your-… #TheBigAddictionConversation #TakingActionOnAddiction

Sober Comedy London brought people together for an afternoon of alcohol-free comedy, connection and conversation during Addiction Awareness Week. For promoter Martyn Davies, who’s more than 8.5 years into recovery, conversations about addiction can be the first step towards recovery, just as it was for him. The Big Addiction Conversation continues all year, and there’s another chance to get involved! 💬 🎤 The London Alcohol-Free Comedy Club returns to Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green, on Sunday 15 November at 3.30pm. 🎟️ Super Early Bird tickets are just £15. Learn more and book now: takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation

Why is addiction so misunderstood? Addiction can affect anyone, yet many misconceptions still exist. That's why we're encouraging more open conversations through The Big Addiction Conversation. 💬 What's one thing you wish more people understood about addiction? Share your thoughts in the comments below, then visit our Digital Conversation Generator for more conversation starters. 🔗 takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation

17,000 conversations. That's our goal. 🎯 A simple ambition inspired by a powerful statistic: one conversation for every life lost. Since launching The Big Addiction Conversation, people across the UK have already started sharing stories, challenging assumptions and talking more openly about addiction. Collective action is one of the most powerful ways to drive change, reduce stigma and make conversations about addiction a more normal part of everyday life. Now we're inviting even more people, workplaces, organisations and communities to join the movement. Here's how you can get involved 👇 💬 Start a conversation 📲 Try our Digital Conversation Cards 📦 Request a physical card pack 🧰 Download the campaign toolkit Your voice matters. Every conversation counts. Help us reach 17,000. 🔗takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation

Thank you to HRH The Princess of Wales, @KensingtonRoyal, for visiting one of our recovery projects this week. As Royal Patron of @ForwardTrust and our Taking Action on Addiction campaign, we are incredibly grateful for her continued support of our work. Here are a few photos from the day. 💙 #BigAddictionConversation Photos by Andrew Parsons | Kensington Palace

Around 17,000 people die each year in the UK from alcohol- or drug-related causes. This year, Taking Action on Addiction, a Forward Trust campaign, is aiming to start 17,000 conversations about addiction. One conversation for every life lost. Start your conversation by: 🔁 Sharing or commenting on this post 🧰 Downloading our free conversation toolkit - takingactiononaddiction.org.… 📲 Trying our digital conversation cards - takingactiononaddiction.org.… Every conversation counts, and every life lost to addiction matters. Let's reverse the trend, together. #TheBigAddictionConversation

We asked ChatGPT, as a widely used AI platform, to tell us in 30 words or less, how it thinks addiction can affect both the person experiencing it and the people around them. Here’s what it had to say…🤖 But what do you think? Do you agree, disagree or have another perspective? Join The Big Addiction Conversation and share your thoughts in the comments. 💬 #BigAddictionConversation

Want to take part in The Big Addiction Conversation? Our free toolkit includes: ✅ Conversation tips ✅ Support information ✅ Practical guidance ✅ Fundraising ideas ✅ Ways to get involved Register and download it today to start your conversation. takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation

We asked ChatGPT, as a widely used AI platform, to tell us in 30 words or less, why it thinks addiction still carries so much stigma. Here’s what it had to say…🤖 Do you agree? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below. #BigAddictionConversation

This year's campaign theme is The Big Addiction Conversation. We're aiming to start 17,000 conversations about addiction across the UK - and there's loads of ways to get involved. You can start with our brand new Digital Conversation Generator. Draw a card, start a conversation, and see where it takes you ⬇️ takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation

Tomorrow marks the start of Addiction Awareness Week (19-25 September), where we will introduce our new year-round campaign theme, The Big Addiction Conversation. Since 2021, our goal remains the same: to help raise awareness of addiction and support more people into recovery. Stay connected to this year's campaign by signing up to our mailing list ⬇️ 🔗 takingactiononaddiction.org.… #BigAddictionConversation