The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Your story can make a difference. But you decide how, when & whether you share it. Laura Willoughby MBE, co-founder & CEO of Club Soda shares practical advice on using lived experience to challenge stigma and influence change - while protecting your own boundaries and wellbeing - zurl.co/VoY3N 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 07/09/2026What if you don't recognise yourself in the stereotype of someone with a substance use problem? And what if you're in recovery... but still don't recognise yourself in what that is meant to look like? Our new guest blog from Shell at We Recover Loudly is funny, fierce & unapologetic: zurl.co/DvpeG 001
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkPhoenix Futures @phoenixfutures.bsky.social · 03/09/2026What does residential rehabilitation look like? As part of Open Houses, we're opening our doors throughout September, inviting you to meet our communities and learn how we support people to rebuild their lives. Book now: zurl.co/8RiwY 011
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Awareness is growing. But awareness alone won't dismantle stigma. We're launching 2 new Anti-Stigma Network Policy Briefings, exploring how stigma affects people's experiences across healthcare & criminal justice - zurl.co/zzmSH Read them. Share them. Use them. 001
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 12/08/2026What if we rewrote the story of recovery? The Recovery Street Film Festival puts lived experience at the heart of the conversation - challenging stereotypes through film, creativity and storytelling. In this blog, Maddie Kitchen explores why this matters and how RSFF is growing: zurl.co/NxIqA 000
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkPhoenix Futures @phoenixfutures.bsky.social · 03/08/2026What three words would you use to describe residential rehab? Watch the video, then let us know in the comments. Or better yet, come and see for yourself this September: zurl.co/t0hln Step inside. See the difference. #OpenHouses 011
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Is it time to dump the term "substance misuse"? Our latest blog explores whether the language we use unintentionally reinforces stigma and asks whether it's time for something better. What do you think? Read the blog and join the conversation: zurl.co/F1Ep4 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 28/07/2026When someone doesn't engage with support, do we ask: ❌ "Why didn't they attend?" ✅ "What made attendance difficult?" New blog from Tom Wright explores how prison recovery support reveals the powerful impact of systems, structures and stigma on recovery. Read more: zurl.co/q9HtW 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Thanks to the @ias.org.uk for helping us spread the news about the stigma-free organisations toolkit 🙏 010
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 03/07/2026Can the "right" words still have the wrong impact? Even the most carefully chosen language can miss the mark if it's delivered with ambiguity, hierarchy, or unintended judgement. In our latest blog, we explore how dignity, agency, and fairness can help create truly stigma-free cultures zurl.co/WUUBa 021
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 01/07/2026"You are not alone" In this latest blog, Navi Dhesi shares how seeing his own experience reflected in someone else's story became a turning point. Read about breaking the silence around alcohol harm in South Asian communities and the importance of connection and representation - zurl.co/SIA4i 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 24/06/2026What does stigma look like in practice? It isn’t always obvious - it can show up in policies, processes, language or assumptions that shape access and inclusion. Our Stigma-Free Organisations Toolkit helps organisations reflect and take action on stigma. zurl.co/8thYY 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 22/06/2026“I am more than just a person who takes drugs.” D This Pride we’re continuing to amplify lived experience voices. D shares his journey navigating stigma, mental health, HIV & substance use - & the need for compassion, understanding & change. Let’s listen. Learn. Do better. 🔗 zurl.co/mf8H8 000
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkSHAAP @shaapalcohol.bsky.social · 19/06/2026The alcohol industry is open about what the World Cup is for. Diageo's VP of global sports partnerships says sporting events "absolutely help recruit new customers in a big way." Not retain them. Recruit them. That's the strategy and it's playing out across 104 matches over six weeks.edition.cnn.comWhy World Cup is the ‘make or break’ for alcohol | CNN BusinessForget ticket sales and geopolitical tensions. The World Cup might face another hurdle: A years-long decline in drinking. 112
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 18/06/2026“You got yourself into this.” “Now prove you deserve help.” This is the responsibilisation trap. And it hides the real drivers of harm, keeping people stuck. 🔗 Read our new blog and find out why it's time to move the focus: zurl.co/igsBN 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 16/06/2026"When we listen to lived experience, services improve." In this new guest blog, Wezz Killinaul reflects on addiction, recovery and the importance of creating LGBTQIA+ inclusive support services. Read her story and recommendations for creating safer, more inclusive support - zurl.co/cXIZK 🌈 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Stigma doesn't just affect how people feel. It shapes whether people feel safe to seek help, how they're treated when they do, and whether systems respond fairly. Our new free Stigma-Free Organisations Toolkit helps organisations take action on professional and structural stigma. zurl.co/EjTol 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 09/06/2026"Ask people what would help" Prof Catherine Meads This Pride Month we're revisiting our webinars on stigma related to drug & alcohol use within LGBTQIA+ communities. Exploring stigma, discrimination, inclusive support & the role of allyship in creating stigma-free services. Watch here: zurl.co/4xSTN 000
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkInstitute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · 05/06/2026New report: alcohol labels are failing consumers. Only 6.7% carry health warnings. Just 1.3% mention cancer. Meanwhile, industry messages dominates. People have a right to know what’s in their drink - and the risks. Time for mandatory alcohol labelling. ahauk.org/resource/a-c...ahauk.orgA Clear Way Forward: The Case for Better Alcohol LabellingThis report is the most comprehensive audit to date of alcohol labels in the UK and demonstrates why mandatory alcohol labelling is needed. 011
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 02/06/2026What happens when the alcohol industry becomes the voice of “responsible drinking”? @theactualjim.bsky.social explores how alcohol brands position themselves as advisers on alcohol harm while attention shifts away from the wider drivers of harm & stigma - bit.ly/4u5imRb 021
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkAlcohol Focus Scotland @alcoholfocus.bsky.social · 02/06/2026"Everything about this new product screams that it’s designed for children. Everything but the contents, that is: the “99” being, in fact, an alcoholic shot." Scotland needs to take action to protect children from #AlcoholMarketing www.the-independent.com/life-style/b...the-independent.comBuzzBalls and 99p shots: We’ve reached peak ‘kiddification’ of booze and smokingA new alcoholic drink has raised alarm bells thanks to its fun, bright packaging and pocket money-friendly price tag. It’s time we stopped giving ‘adult’ products the CBeebies treatment, writes Helen ... 001
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 01/06/2026🌈 This Pride Month, we reaffirm our commitment to safer, more inclusive and stigma-free support for LGBTQIA+ communities. Everyone deserves access to support that is compassionate, welcoming and free from judgement 🩷 010
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 21/05/2026Why does alcohol advertising dominate culture while treatment & recovery remain so stigmatised? @theactualjim.bsky.social explores the unequal battle between the alcohol industry’s multi-million-pound marketing machine & under-resourced public health messaging in our latest blog - zurl.co/vEDTg 001
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 20/05/2026🎬 Recovery Street Film Festival 2026 is open for submissions! This year’s theme, Rewriting the Script, explores recovery, identity, transformation & challenging stigma through storytelling. We’re proud to support this space for honest, creative lived-experience stories 💙 zurl.co/WrZqI 021
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 15/05/2026This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we proudly support the campaign to build a healthier society for everyone. We’re committed to honest conversations about mental health & substances, recognising how connected they can be. Action starts with empathy, listening & supporting each other without judgment 010
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 12/05/2026This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we’re supporting the call to take action ❤️ Through conversation, education, and community, we can create spaces where people feel safe, heard, and supported without judgement. Let’s keep taking action together. 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 11/05/2026This week we mark 3 years of the Anti-Stigma Network 🌟 With our members & partners, we’ve built a growing network working to reduce stigma around drug & alcohol use through training, resources, policy & lived experience leadership. Read our impact report & join us in creating change - zurl.co/kfCyq 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 07/05/2026This International Harm Reduction Day, we’re highlighting one of the most powerful harm reduction tools we have: language. The words we use can open the door to support and dignity - or reinforce stigma. Explore our Anti-Stigma Language Guide and share your thoughts: zurl.co/TMqUi 021
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 27/04/2026Did you know we have a library of anti-stigma resources? Explore, share, and help us grow it 👇 zurl.co/oKC3i Got something to add? Email us at info@antistigmanetwork.org.uk 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 24/04/2026“Drink responsibly” messaging at football is everywhere - but does it actually reduce harm? Evidence suggests awareness campaigns alone rarely change drinking in these environments. So are we tackling harm - or just shifting responsibility? Read the full piece: zurl.co/weRad 010
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 17/04/2026“The Merseyside Experiment: Will the UK Recall Its Heroin-Prescribing History?” A look back at UK drug policy when heroin prescribing formed part of a public health approach to dependence. How do fear, stigma, and criminalisation shape drug policy today? Sarah Sinclair investigates - zurl.co/Ba2zL 011
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 09/04/2026New blog from our guest writer Bea: A powerful piece on substance use, shame, and stigma - and why speaking openly matters. “Stigma survives in silence - and starts to break when we speak.” Read here: zurl.co/k9KaB 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 07/04/2026This #WorldHealthDay: stand with science - and challenge stigma. Stigma harms health. It stops people seeking support. It drives inequality. We’re working together to change the narrative on drug & alcohol use. We stand with science. We stand against stigma. #StandWithScience #EndStigma @who.int 011
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 02/04/2026🌱 Our No Agenda Drop-ins are back! Come connect, share ideas, and chat all things anti-stigma. No structure, no pressure - just conversation. 📅 12pm-1pm | Tuesday 28 April 💻 Join via Teams: zurl.co/rEg70 Meeting ID: 346 366 601 430 25 Passcode: pn9H55UK 000
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkWHO @who.int · 01/04/2026How do you make your health decisions? Your health depends on reliable science and evidence-based information. Today’s daily dose. Together for Health #StandWithScience 26721
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 27/03/2026“There’s also a massive stigma…which prevents people from acknowledging and admitting there is something wrong…a narrative that's been developed by the alcohol industry - that it’s ‘irresponsible drinkers’, so if you can’t manage this addictive product, you are somehow irresponsible” - Alice Wiseman 011
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 27/03/2026People affected by drug and alcohol use are often spoken about – but rarely heard. Actor and producer Stuart Falconer shares how a Scottish theatre production is challenging stigma and bringing real voices to the stage. zurl.co/PSBcW 010
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 25/03/2026Support for people facing substance use challenges is often framed as an economic issue - but is it really? This blog explores how stigma shapes funding, and why those in greatest need are least supported. zurl.co/sLmYH 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 24/03/2026Want to play a part in ending stigma? Join the Anti-Stigma Network as an organisational member - for FREE. If your organisation is committed to raising awareness, educating others and sharing stories, we’d love to hear from you. 📩 info@antistigmanetwork.org.uk Let’s challenge stigma - together. 001
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 20/03/2026Traditional anti-drug campaigns often rely on fear and stereotypes that reinforce stigma. Projects like the Opioid Crisis Lookbook centre lived experience and encourage more compassionate conversations about addiction. Read the full article on Talking Drugs website - zurl.co/sHtEv 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 19/03/2026It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week 🌟 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent, yet still face stigma. Drug & alcohol experiences can differ - often linked to coping with anxiety or sensory overload. More understanding = better support ♥️ Celebrate difference & challenge stigma 🔗 zurl.co/Cvl3Q 000
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkMary Beth O'Connor @marybethoconnor.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Simple explanation of #harmreduction, including that it is both effective and cost-effective. #addiction #opioids hri.global/what-is-harm...hri.globalWhat is Harm Reduction? - Harm Reduction InternationalHarm reduction refers to policies, programmes and practices that aim to minimise the negative health, social and legal impacts associated with drug use, drug policies and drug laws. 032
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 16/03/2026A BBC article highlights people in recovery volunteering in their community - something many find empowering. But it raises a question: why do people in recovery feel they should “repay” society? If dependence is a mental health condition, where does this expectation come from? zurl.co/zsd47 010
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 12/03/2026We’re delighted to welcome Jon Shorrock to the Anti-Stigma Network. With over 30 years’ experience in drug and alcohol services, Jon reflects on the stigma he has witnessed across the sector — and why working together across systems is key to creating real change. Read the blog: zurl.co/FbDTD 000
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkPhoenix Futures @phoenixfutures.bsky.social · 06/03/2026International Women’s Day reminds us that safety and dignity must be non‑negotiable for every woman. Our new blog explains what needs to change. Read here: zurl.co/Oo4Fd #InternationalWomensDay #InspireInclusion #WomensRights #GenderEquality #WomenSupportingWomen #EndStigma #WomenInRecovery 001
Reposted by The Anti-Stigma NetworkSociety for the Study of Addiction @addiction-ssa.org · 09/03/2026For #InternationalWomensDay, we are sharing our latest blog from Nic Adamson, Deputy Chief Executive at @changegrowlive.bsky.social and Chair of the Women’s Treatment Working Group tinyurl.com/5n6vcf8w 032
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 06/02/2026Are you a pharmacist, or do you know someone who is? Here are some helpful ways pharmacies can improve outcomes for those impacted by substance use, including the creation of a stigma-free and psychologically safe environment. Read the seven steps in The Pharmaceutical Journal: zurl.co/GemLDzurl.coSeven ways pharmacy can improve outcomes for those impacted by substance useThe Pharmaceutical Journal from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society 000
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 23/01/2026We know that language can enhance or dismantle stigma and our handy guide is available on our website. If you want to read more about the importance of using non-stigmatising language, Psychology Today has published a new article on this: zurl.co/keyUZ What phrases do you use?zurl.coHow Words Perpetuate Stigma Surrounding AddictionWhen what we say matters: The scientific language of addiction. 031
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 13/01/2026New research from the US into risk factors for employment stigma has revealed stats concerning job rejection, doubts about being hired and perceived likelihood of being overlooked for a job. Do you work in HR or recruitment? How can we reduce stigma in this area? Read the full study: zurl.co/Yqgf8link.springer.comRisk factors for experiencing substance use-related employment stigma among emergency department patients at high risk of opioid overdoseHarm Reduction Journal - People who use drugs report hesitance to seek employment because of stigma around drug use, which other forms of stigma may compound. We evaluated risk factors for... 011
The Anti-Stigma Network @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social · 09/01/2026What happens when stigma shapes policy, not evidence? We’ve responded to the ACMD’s call for evidence on drug use in LGBT+ communities & chemsex, drawing on lived experience and frontline insight. Better outcomes start with better understanding👉 zurl.co/ETYl5 #Stigma #LGBTQ+ #ASN 010