Earlier this year, we launched a survey to explore a deeply important issue: the reality of stigma around addiction and how it affects people’s lives. Through Breaking the Stigma: Your Insights on Addiction, 130 people with lived experience of addiction generously shared their honest thoughts and personal stories with us.
We wanted to hear directly from the people who understand addiction best and if you were one of the people who took part, thank you. Your openness has given us a clearer picture of what needs to change, and your words are already helping others feel less alone.
What we learned
The message that came through was clear and consistent: stigma around addiction is still very real. Almost everyone who answered felt that judgement and misunderstanding remain part of everyday life, even if attitudes are slowly starting to shift. For many of you, this wasn’t just about feeling judged. Stigma had real consequences – it shaped how you felt about yourself and sadly, how long you waited before reaching out for help.
That last point stood out to us most. Many people told us that shame and secrecy held them back, sometimes for years. When stigma stops someone asking for support, it stops being a social problem and becomes a barrier to recovery. It’s a reminder of why open, honest conversations matter so much.
But there was something deeply hopeful in your answers too. Alongside the challenges, you shared an overwhelming sense of warmth, empathy and solidarity. Time and again, people spoke about the strength of the recovery community – the people who show up, listen without judgement and remind each other that no one has to face this alone. That spirit is a powerful thing and it shone through every response.
Key findings
Here are a few of the key findings from the survey:
- 93.8% of you feel there is still stigma around addiction
- 65% said stigma delayed you from seeking help sooner
- 49% said that delay lasted years, not months
- 96.2% feel addiction is treated worse than other health conditions, like diabetes or cancer
- 89.2% believe the media reinforces negative stereotypes about addiction
- And running through it all – a strong, unmistakable sense of support and solidarity among those in recovery
Download the whitepaper
For further information, download our whitepaper, Breaking the Stigma: Your Insights on Addiction. It offers a detailed analysis of the survey results.
A final word
If there’s one thing your answers taught us, it’s this: you are not alone and asking for help is an act of courage, not weakness. Stigma may still exist in the wider world, but so does an incredible community of people who understand, who care and who want to help.
Thank you for trusting us with your experiences.
