11 February 2022

The NHS Addictions Provider Alliance (NHS APA), of which CNWL is a member, has launched a campaign called ‘Stigma Kills’.

The campaign asks people and organisations to stop seeing individuals as addicts, instead to see the person behind it and to do three things:

  • STOP using words that hurt and isolate people
  • START thinking about why someone might be ill
  • ASK if they need help or support

Often dependency is seen as self-inflicted instead of as a psychological or physical disease that requires support and treatment.

The campaign comes as drug-related deaths have increased for the eighth year in a row according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

CNWL Head of Addictions Teresa Wirz said: “This is a well-timed campaign. Some of the service users I have worked with and helped have been among the most brilliant and insightful”

“It is very easy to stigmatise people with dependencies but we need to look beyond this and something that can be treated. It’s important to connect and think on a human level and our job is to support and help those who need it most.

“Their stories of loss of friendships or relationships can be painful to hear – these behaviours are not the person but too often symptomatic of the most challenging and difficult of circumstances/life events. Our job, my job, is to make sure the services can help people reconnect with their community and navigate a new life direction.

“I have seen first-hand how much people who use our services give back to us through our service user groups, volunteering and later down the line entering into paid employment within our services.”

Danny Hames, Chair of the NHS Addictions Provider Alliance, said: “We want to build a conversation and act as a catalyst for change for those directly affected by a drug, alcohol or gambling dependency but also for those who come into contact with those affected and experience its impact.

“It is in everyone’s interests that the walls created by stigma are pulled down. If we do this we can increase the opportunity for people to engage, receive treatment and connect with others – all vitally important components in addressing dependency and recovery.”

The Alliance is made up of 16 NHS Trusts working collaboratively with service users, carers and other organisations.

For more information: https://www.nhsapa.org/stigma