Key Moments:
- Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has called for increased honesty and compassion around addiction during the UK’s Addiction Awareness Week.
- A recent Ipsos poll conducted for the Forward Trust surveyed 2,124 people, revealing that more than half have personal or close experience with addiction.
- The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has allocated £100,000 to a new research project on the effects of digital interruptions in parent-child relationships.
Royal Advocacy Spotlights Addiction
In the wake of recent industry discussions on the impact of gambling harm, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has utilized the UK’s Addiction Awareness Week to address prevailing attitudes towards addiction. Serving as patron of the Forward Trust, she emphasized how stigma continues to influence the lives of individuals dealing with various forms of dependency, such as drugs, alcohol, or gambling.
Her advocacy aims to foster a more open environment where people feel safe discussing their struggles. Catherine stated, “Addiction is not a choice or a personal failing but a complex mental health condition that should be met with empathy and support.” Her message closely aligns with current calls for earlier interventions and greater engagement with those at risk, reflecting sentiments echoed throughout the industry.
Breaking the Silence on Addiction
Catherine underscored that silence surrounding addiction remains harmful. She remarked, “But still, even now in 2025, people’s experience of addiction is shaped by fear, shame and judgment. This needs to change. The stigma surrounding those who face addiction allows it to thrive behind closed doors, impacting families and communities, and ultimately ruining lives.”
According to Catherine and harm-prevention experts, most individuals delay seeking help, hoping problems resolve on their own, until reaching a crisis point. She emphasized the power of compassion, saying, “Many of us will know someone who is struggling with an addiction. Now is the moment to show our compassion and love to help them, or their friends and family, to reach out to organisations like the Forward Trust for support. Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care.”
Her remarks highlighted the importance of simple human interactions, such as checking in or offering support, as crucial steps toward recovery. Catherine concluded, “So please join the conversation. By talking about it in the open, together we can bring addiction and the harm it causes out of the shadows.”
Public Survey Sheds Light on Addiction Perceptions
A poll administered by Ipsos for the Forward Trust’s ‘Taking Action on Addiction’ campaign has underscored the prevalence of addiction in society. The survey of 2,124 participants revealed that over half have either personally experienced addiction or know someone who has. Furthermore, 81 percent indicated that those dependent on substances or gambling should be viewed as individuals in need of assistance rather than judgment.
| Survey Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Total respondents | 2,124 |
| Personal or known experience with addiction | More than 50% |
| Support treating addiction as health issue | 81% |
Early Childhood Project Explores Digital Distractions
Catherine also unveiled a research initiative centered on “technoference” – the effect of digital disturbances on parent-child interaction. The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has committed £100,000 to support the project, which aims to examine how digital habits impact family life and determine potential solutions to minimize their influence.
Researchers will engage with families across the UK to collect insights on when digital distractions occur and how they affect communication, stress, and daily interactions. The resulting data will inform new guidance for health visitors, educators, and professionals specializing in early childhood.
While the study does not focus on gambling, it contributes to growing research on the impact of digital behavior. Within an industry expanding its focus on overall player wellbeing, the Princess’s remarks reinforce efforts to consider addiction and digital health together in broader public discussions.
- Author
Daniel Williams
