The Princess of Wales has called for an end to the “stigma” surrounding addiction, and urged people to offer “empathy and support” to those dependent on alcohol, drugs or gambling.
Catherine, who sent the message to mark Addiction Awareness Week, said “significant progress” has been made to better understand addiction, but warned more needs to be done.
The princess is the patron of The Forward Trust, a charity that tries to break the cycle of addiction and is behind the campaign running from 23-30 November.
Catherine, who has also campaigned on mental health issues, draws parallels between the two conditions in her message.
She said addiction was “not a choice or a personal failing, but a complex mental health condition that should be met with empathy and support”.
She added: “But still, even now in 2025, people’s experience of addiction is shaped by fear, shame and judgement. 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.”
The princess said that many people will know someone who is struggling with 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,” she said.
“Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care.”
Catherine launched the first Addiction Awareness Week in 2021 on behalf of the trust and its Taking Action on Addiction campaign.
She concluded her message by urging people to have open conversations to bring addiction and the harm it causes “out of the shadows”.
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