Addiction Awareness Week is an annual campaign led by The Forward Trust, taking place from 23rd – 30th November. This year’s theme is: “Addiction thrives in silence. Recovery begins with conversation. The conversation starts here.”
At Broadway Lodge, we proudly support this campaign and its powerful message. Stigma and misunderstanding still surround addiction and this can make it incredibly difficult for people to reach out for help. Many who struggle already carry a heavy burden of shame, which keeps them silent and isolated. We want to help change that by encouraging open, compassionate conversations about addiction and by sharing guidance on where to seek support.
Taking the First Step: Opening Up About Addiction
Talking about addiction takes immense courage. Addiction is often an isolating illness and feelings of shame can make it even harder to open up. Many people try to hide their struggles, hoping to manage on their own. However, staying silent only allows the problem to escalate, prolonging and worsening the harm to health, their lives and other people.
It’s important to remember that addiction is a powerful but treatable illness and no-one has to face it alone. Professional help and supportive communities are available. The moment you share what you’re going through, you take a vital first step towards recovery and healing.
Confiding in someone can feel daunting, but vulnerability can also be deeply connecting. As the saying goes, “A problem shared is a problem halved.” By opening up, you may feel a sense of relief, discover that you’re not alone and find the strength to take the next step toward getting the help you deserve.
Who You Can Talk To
You can start the conversation with anyone you feel safe speaking to, whether it’s someone close to you or a professional. Some options include:
- A trusted friend or family member who will listen without judgment
- A professional, such as your GP, psychiatrist, or counsellor
- Someone with lived experience, for example, a member of a support fellowship like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) — whether at an in-person meeting, online or via their helplines
- An addiction treatment centre, such as Broadway Lodge, where trained specialists can offer a confidential chat and information about the treatments available and routes into the treatment centre
- Your local drug and alcohol service where you can access free support to help you to reduce the harm of your drinking/using
Why Talking Helps
Sharing your struggles is more than just an emotional release – it’s an act of hope. When you speak openly about what you’re facing, you invite understanding, support and connection. Talking can help you:
- Feel less alone and more understood
- Reduce the sense of shame and isolation
- Gain perspective and clarity about your situation
- Access practical guidance and professional help
Recovery begins with conversation, and every conversation brings us closer to a world where addiction is met with compassion, not stigma.
When you engage with a service whether it’s a treatment centre or drug and alcohol service, you will be understood by professionals and met by peers where there is identification and you will realise that you are not alone.
Residential Treatment for Addiction at Broadway Lodge
Starting the conversation today could be the beginning of your recovery journey. If you’d like to speak to us in confidence to find out about our residential detox and rehab services and how you can access our support, please call us on 01934 815515 (9am – 5pm weekdays) or send us a message here and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
