Understanding Public Stigma and Addiction

In this episode, you can listen to the LRN interviews in their entirety. We'd like to thank Ray, Wendy, Simon B, Simon (Nacoa), Beth, Kuljit, Bhags, Shiv, Justin, Ellie, Tamsin, and Dale for their time, honesty, and invaluable contributions. You'll find timestamps for all interviews below, along with links to their organisations and the LRN website.Kuljit - ARC Hounslow 3:31Bhags - ARC Hounslow 6:01Justin - Recovery Day Program 8:34Beth - Nacoa 11:11Simon - Nacoa 15:18Wendy - B3 Brent 18:23Tamsin - Build on Belief 21:19Dale - Outside Edge Theatre 24:21Shiv - Recovery Day Program29:28Simon - Alcoholics Anonymous 34:58Ellie - Hep C Trust 40:53Ray Antidote 47:07 Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking - NacoaAntidote: Drugs & Alcohol Support - London FriendB3 in Brent | Brent Service User CouncilHome - Outside EdgeBuild on BeliefHome - Alcoholics Anonymous Great BritainThe Hepatitis C Trust | Hep C charityDrug and alcohol advice, treatment and recovery support | London Borough of HounslowConnecting recovery and treatment providers across the capitalBW Christoph and Richard

In this episode, we're breaking new ground by attending the annual London Recovery Network (LRN) event at The Troxy in London. The event took place on 29 September 2026 and marked the second year of this inspiring gathering.It has been an absolute pleasure to attend these events and to be part of the ongoing LRN community. We'd like to start by thanking everyone involved for welcoming us and the Breaking Stigma campaign as part of the event.If you're listening along, you'll hear all about the LRN, what it stands for, and the importance of connecting, building community, and staying curious. You'll also hear Christoph and me reflect on the event, the wider LRN network, and the incredible people who generously gave their time to answer some key questions we posed.We wanted to capture the energy of the event, explore different perspectives on stigma, and better understand what we can all do to challenge and reduce it. We asked four key questions, which we unpack throughout this episode, and I have to say, we came away truly inspired.We'd like to thank Ray, Wendy, Simon B, Simon (Nacoa), Beth, Kuljit, Bhags, Shiv, Justin, Ellie, Tamsin, and Dale for their time, honesty, and invaluable contributions. You'll find links to their organisations, along with the LRN website, below.We hope you enjoy the energy and positivity of this episode as much as we enjoyed being part of it. BW Christoph and Richard!Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking - NacoaAntidote: Drugs & Alcohol Support - London FriendB3 in Brent | Brent Service User CouncilHome - Outside EdgeBuild on BeliefHome - Alcoholics Anonymous Great BritainThe Hepatitis C Trust | Hep C charityDrug and alcohol advice, treatment and recovery support | London Borough of HounslowConnecting recovery and treatment providers across the capital

In this episode of Breaking the Stigma, we begin to explore the complex relationship between crime, addiction, and stigma, examining how these interconnected issues affect individuals, families, services, and communities. This episode is just the beginning of the conversation, and we aim to produce more episodes covering all aspects of the impact of crime and addiction. Through a mix of professional expertise and lived experience, we hope to provide valuable insight and understanding. People should not be defined by their addiction, their criminal record, or the most difficult chapter of their lives. By challenging stigma and supporting recovery, we can help individuals rebuild their futures while creating healthier and safer communities for everyone. Through discussion and Christoph’s reflections on his lived experience, we unpack the factors that often contribute to substance use, offending behaviour, and challenges in accessing treatment and support. The episode challenges common misconceptions and encourages listeners to look beyond labels to understand the wider circumstances that can shape a person's life.We also examine the damaging impact of stigma, highlighting how negative attitudes towards people affected by addiction or involvement in the criminal justice system can create barriers to treatment, recovery, employment, housing, and rehabilitation. Finally, we discuss what it takes to break the cycle and the importance of collaborative working across professional sectors. From effective rehabilitation and recovery support to strong partnerships between criminal justice, health, housing, and community services, we explore how coordinated approaches can improve outcomes for individuals and communities alike.This episode is essential listening for professionals working across public health, criminal justice, substance misuse, housing, social care, and community services, as well as anyone interested in understanding how compassion, evidence, and collaboration can support lasting change.

In this episode, we will be getting into a deeper conversation about stigma, specifically public stigma. We aim to explore what public stigma is and how it manifests. We hope to highlight how it impacts people, as well as their friends, families, and services. We will also offer practical advice and actions, with compassion and non-judgemental care in mind.What is Public Stigma?This type of stigma can often lead to self-stigma, as discussed in a previous episode, whereby people experiencing stigma may be left feeling unworthy, which can result in self-exclusion from support. Feelings of shame, guilt, blame, and anxiety can arise, often leading to isolation from their own communities. People may also feel defined by their substance use rather than the many other individual characteristics that make up who they are.Having open and honest conversations about addiction is very important, but it is equally important that these conversations are meaningful and truly heard. The feeling of being listened to and understood—even in the most challenging times—can bring a sense of self-worth and belonging. It can inspire people to reach out and, in turn, access the specialist support they need.So, I ask everyone reading this and listening to the podcast: be open-minded, actively listen, reflect on your own language, and encourage others to seek support. Let’s all be part of the conversation. We are not always going to get things right, but let’s show heart and be brave.

In this episode, we will be going into more depth about stigma and addiction, focusing specifically on self-stigma. We will explore what self-stigma is, where it comes from, hear lived experiences, and place a strong focus on discovery and support. Self-stigma occurs when a person internalises negative societal, cultural, or familial messages about their identity, emotions, actions, or mental health. It’s that moment when we start believing we are flawed or “not enough” — not just in what we accomplish, but in who we are as individuals. Self-stigma doesn’t simply appear out of nowhere. It is often tied to past experiences, especially in environments where love, safety, or approval felt conditional. Although self-stigma may not be visible from the outside, it can be incredibly loud internally. It often follows a recognisable cycle of unrealistic expectations, shame, fear of judgment, and withdrawal. In this episode, we will explore how to name these patterns, understand their roots, and learn to be kinder to yourself. We are not experts in this area — this is as much a journey for us as it is for you. We always encourage seeking professional support if any of these conversations resonate with you. So please join us on this journey!

In this episode, we introduce the brilliant Hounslow Heroes peer‑to‑peer naloxone project. We delve into what naloxone is, why it is so important, the added benefits it brings, and the exceptional work the Hounslow Heroes carry out every day.We are joined by three Hounslow Hero champions. First, we have the wonderful—and familiar from the previous episode—Carly Monks. Carly is not only a Hounslow Hero champion but also volunteers at the local drug treatment service and facilitates SMART Recovery. Next, we’re joined by Wojciech Mazur, another Hounslow Hero champion, who dedicates his time to giving back to the community and saving lives, one day at a time. Finally, we are also joined by John Mickie, a Hounslow Hero champion and a major advocate for SMART Recovery and the allotment project.What is Naloxone?Naloxone is a safe and effective medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. It is a critical tool in tackling opioid-related harm, and by making it widely available and promoting its use, communities can save lives and build a stronger sense of togetherness.Although this episode may come across as Hounslow‑specific, all local drug services across the UK are able to supply naloxone kits and will have similar projects supporting its promotion and distribution. I see naloxone not only as a lifesaving medication, but also as a symbol of addressing stigma and being open to talking about addiction in its truest form.So, if you’re reading this—and hopefully listening too—I implore you to contact your local service, get trained, and carry naloxone.

In this episode, we delve into the topic of what addiction is, looking deeper into where it begins, exploring the physical and psychological elements of addiction, and how it is defined in the community (health vs. choice).We are joined by the wonderful Carly Monks — CNWL volunteer, Hounslow Hero, and SMART Recovery facilitator. Carly brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and heart to the conversation. She has supported various projects in Hounslow and is an incredible advocate for recovery and anti‑stigma work. Carly is also no stranger to the limelight, having shared her powerful journey on camera. The link to this film is below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya9ziwp1JPMWhat is addiction?The NHS states that addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking, or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol, and smoking, but it is possible to be addicted to almost anything, including:WorkThe internetSolventsShoppingSexHowever, as Carly highlights in this episode, there is no single book that can fully explain addiction. There are many theories and scientific approaches, but ultimately, addiction is different for everyone. Throughout the episode, we explore the importance of compassion, recognising the signs of addiction, and understanding the impact it can have physically and mentally. Both Carly and Christoph share insights and experiences that are eye‑opening and heart‑warming.Unhelpful attitudes toward addiction continue to persist. Many people still think of addiction as a matter of morality, character weakness, or willpower, despite extensive evidence showing that it is none of these things.While some people who take a substance become addicted and others do not, those in the latter group can find it difficult to understand what happens to those who do. It’s up to all of us to be part of the solution.

In this episode, we explore what stigma is and the challenges it creates in day‑to‑day life, particularly for people experiencing addiction. The podcast was created to encourage open conversations about addiction and to address the elephant in the room — to break the stigma. We are joined by the brilliant Dr Bhags Sharma, Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist at the Hounslow ARC (Addiction, Recovery, Community) service. Dr Sharma brings expert knowledge and many years of professional experience in addiction support and has been a strong voice and advocate for tackling stigma throughout our campaign. What is stigma?Stigma is the assignment of negative and unfair beliefs based on characteristics such as mental illness, physical appearance, social status, or, in this case, addiction disorders. It creates barriers by causing discrimination, social isolation and shame, often preventing people from seeking help. Stigma can be personal (self‑stigma), societal (public stigma) or structural. There are many ways stigma can show up, and we want to highlight the impact this can have on people who are currently in need of support. Stigma can have long‑term health and mental health consequences. It significantly affects confidence and can deter people from accessing or seeking support, as many fear the repercussions. It can reinforce trauma, encourage self‑isolation, and leave individuals feeling defined by their addiction rather than seen as a whole person. The impact also extends to children, families and friends. So together, let’s bring the grey into colour. Show compassion, be open, and be kind.

In this episode, we embrace the new year with our first recording of 2026! You’ll hear our thoughts and ideas about the topic of shame and how closely it is connected to social exclusion and feelings of worthlessness. Shame has come up often in previous episodes and will more than likely surface again in the future. Today, however, we want to shine a light on it, bring it to the forefront of the conversation, and explore ways it can be recognised and addressed. But what is shame? Shame is a deeply uncomfortable emotion that arises when we feel we have fallen short of who we believe we should be, or who others expect us to be. It often carries a sense of being “flawed,” “unworthy,” or “not good enough.” Unlike guilt—which focuses on a specific behaviour—shame affects how we see ourselves at the core. It can make people want to hide, withdraw, or disconnect from others, and over time it can shape how someone thinks, behaves, and relates to the world. Because of this, shame is not only painful but also powerful, silently influencing decisions, relationships, and self-worth. For those who may be experiencing shame, we hope to show that you’re not alone and to offer ideas on how you can begin opening the door to exploring those feelings. For professionals, family members, friends, and residents listening, we hope to provide insight into the challenges faced by people living with addiction, and how deeply shame and stigma are intertwined.

This is the fourth bitesize episode (Bitesize with a pinch of salt) connected to Episode 3 – Celebrations. In this episode we are joined by the wonderful Stephen Buchanan, Peer Support Worker at the Recovery Day Programme ARC Hounslow. I had the pleasure of watching Stephen’s journey from afar, from homelessness to peer support worker. In this episode we focus on Exit strategies and the importance of having them and recognising when to implement them. Stephen and Christoph share their first-hand experiences of the preparations to attending or not attending an event. They discuss the risks posed, recognising the emotional, social and environmental triggers and how to overcome these with a menu of strategies. They explain how to look out for the signs and the multiple options you have available to you should you need to exit. The beauty of this episode is the tools can be used in many unplanned settings too and not just the planned events. For family, friends, residents and professionals, this will be a chance for you consider, how you can offer support to those in need, and be mindful of challenges people in recovery and active addiction face.