Alcohol
Harms
​​Alcohol harms,
but so do words.
It's time to talk openly about addiction.
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Stigma around alcohol use can stop people from getting help, silence conversations, and leave individuals feeling ashamed or isolated. It’s time to talk openly about addiction and change the culture around how we see and respond to alcohol.
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Why this matters
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Alcohol addiction can affect anyone: patients, colleagues, friends, or loved ones. It isn’t always visible, and stigma often prevents people from seeking help until crisis point. By showing understanding, we can create an environment where people feel respected, listened to, and able to access support without fear of judgement. ​
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In 2023, there were 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in the UK, the highest number on record. Behind these statistics are real people and families whose lives have been shaped by alcohol and by stigma.
What we're doing
Our Alcohol Harms working group brings together NHS APA members to make a positive difference in how addiction to alcohol is understood and treated. Through this campaign, and our work, we are committed to:
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Promoting open conversations about alcohol and addiction.
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Sharing lived experience stories to challenge stigma.
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Providing tools and resources for NHS and healthcare staff.
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Encouraging staff to seek support without fear or shame.
If you are an existing NHS APA member and you’d like to get involved, please contact us.
“I had no control over my drinking and couldn't stop when I started. Many times, I have felt this was a problem, as I would injure myself or act in ways I wouldn't usually do. I felt a lot of shame around my inability to drink normally like others seemed to do. I never sought help as I felt my problem wasn't serious enough to warrant it, or to justify the potential for it to interfere with my job.”
Mary. Forward Leeds
Resources and support
Stigma makes it harder to ask for help.
Our resources are designed to make conversations about alcohol feel safer and easier, whether you’re seeking support yourself, supporting someone else, or helping to shape organisational culture.
Looking for support?
If you think you might be experiencing addiction, reaching out for help is a brave and positive step. Remember, addiction is not a personal failure. Support is available, and taking the first step can make a big difference to your well-being.
This webpage provides links to support and advice for people who are experiencing addiction, and their loved ones. ​​
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We've also created a supporter pack that provides you with the tools and resources to effectively communicate with people experiencing alcohol addiction inside and outside of your organisation.
Start the conversation.
Break the stigma.
​If you think a colleague, loved one, friend, or someone accessing your services might be experiencing addiction, starting the conversation can make a real difference. Breaking the stigma helps create a safe space where people feel empowered to seek help.
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Here are some resources to guide you:
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Learn from experts, healthcare professionals, and people with lived experience. Visit nhsapa.org/events and watch our past stigma-focused conferences on demand. These sessions provide valuable insights into addressing stigma and strategies for creating stigma-free environments.
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We’ve created a guide on conversation starters to help you feel comfortable in starting the conversation. Download it below.
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Click here to read blogs that include stories from those with lived experience in relation to addiction to alcohol, and testimonials from NHS staff.
Working group
The NHS APA currently runs an Alcohol Harms working group which is focused on making a positive difference in the treatment of people experiencing addiction to alcohol.
If you are an existing NHS APA member and you’d like to get involved, please email peter.Keeling@mpft.nhs.uk.