When Jack went to A&E in severe pain, he was left waiting, overlooked, and made to feel invisible. His story shows how stigma around ketamine use can block people from getting urgent care. We need training, flexibility & compassion in services. Everyone deserves dignity. Read more 👉 zurl.co/le3qM

New CPD-accredited training from the Anti-Stigma Network & Adfam: tackling stigma around substance use. For frontline staff working with individuals and families. 📅 Wed 19 Nov 2025, 9.30–3.30 (online via Zoom) 🎟️ £95 members / £110 non-members 🔗 Book here: zurl.co/jAXsO Questions: [email protected]

Phil shares how judgement and misunderstanding shaped his journey. Now a peer mentor, he speaks out to shift perceptions and foster compassion. Read on our Website.

Today is Overdose Awareness Day. 💜 We remember those we’ve lost, support those affected, and highlight the importance of removing stigma around drug use. Stigma stops people from seeking help, accessing life-saving interventions, and receiving the care they deserve. #OverdoseAwarenessDay

Every life matters. Every second counts. Naloxone can reverse an overdose. Carrying it is an act of care. Let’s break the silence. Let’s end the stigma. Read more: zurl.co/qvdx3 #OverdoseAwarenessDay #NaloxoneSavesLives #EndStigma

Recoverist Month is back this September, and Portraits of Recovery is leading the charge with a bold programme of exhibitions, film and conversation across Manchester. Our latest blog explores how contemporary art is being used to challenge stigma around substance use. zurl.co/7OtPP

Join us on Sunday the 31st August as we stand together to honour lives lost and take action for change on #OverdoseAwarenessDay. 💜 A day to remember those we’ve lost, support those grieving, and raise awareness about how we can prevent future deaths. Compassion saves lives. Stigma takes them.

Healthcare stigma isn’t just unfair - it’s dangerous. Young people experiencing harm from Ketamine are slipping through the cracks when stigma prevents them from getting the care they need. Read our latest blog on our website: zurl.co/Up6TM #ketamine #druguse #stopthestigma #stigma

Sasha works with Phoenix Futures, using lived experience to support others and challenge stigma. She champions real representation and personal growth. Read her story on our website: zurl.co/Buw3r

CPD-accredited training on stigma and substance use available online with Adfam 💡 📅 23 Sept or 19 Nov 2025 🎟️ From £95 Reserve your place now: 23 Sept 👉 zurl.co/yWy5A 19 Nov 👉 zurl.co/Hsh35

Join our CPD-accredited training on stigma and substance use with Adfam 💡 Online via Zoom 📅 23 Sept or 19 Nov 2025 🎟️ From £95 Book now: 23 Sept 👉 zurl.co/yWy5A 19 Nov 👉 zurl.co/Hsh35

'What is the Anti-Stigma Network?' In our latest webinar, our host Darren explains exactly that! Want to catch the rest? Curious for more? You can catch all of our webinar's on our website or our Youtube channel. zurl.co/HZj9R

There’s still so much stigma around substance use 💬 In our latest blog, former Amy’s Place resident Kelly shares how she's using her story to challenge assumptions and support young people, educating in schools 💛 Read the full interview 👉zurl.co/wuAwf #EndTheStigma #AmyWinehouseFoundation

Vernon discusses how Trans Sober came to be , whilst also touching on the topic of comorbidity. With alcohol and drug use, treatment isn't always a linear one size box fits all! Want to watch the whole webinar? You can for free on our Youtube Channel! Watch here: zurl.co/dmZko

Learn how to recognise and challenge stigma around substance use in our CPD-accredited training with Adfam 💡 Online via Zoom 📅 23 Sept or 19 Nov 2025 🎟️ From £95 Book now: 23 Sept 👉 zurl.co/yWy5A 19 Nov 👉 zurl.co/Hsh35

From substance use and homelessness to graduating 1st in his family from @UofGlasgow, Thomas Delaney unpacks how media stigma shapes lives—and why lived experience must lead the conversation. 📖 Read his powerful blog on our website! #LivedExperience #SubstanceUse #MediaStigma

🧠 New CPD-accredited training! Learn to recognise, challenge + overcome stigma around substance use. Ideal for frontline professionals. 📅 Sept 23 or Nov 19 (Zoom) 💷 From £95 | Free to join network 🎟️ Book now: zurl.co/ZnTJ7 👥 Sponsored places available!

Tomorrow's the big day!! We're excited to be hosting the second part to our LGBTQIA+ webinar series. Have you got your tickets yet? If not, head over to our website where you'll be able to register your attendance. See you all there!

🎓 What does “fitting in” look like when the world says you don’t belong? Michael shares his experience of being working-class at uni—and the assumptions that came with it. 💬 “Your clothes shouldn’t define your worth.” 🔗 Read Michael's blog here: zurl.co/hWe5H

Just over a week until Part two of our LGBTQIA+ webinar series! Have you booked your free spot yet? We've had some amazing feedback from part one so don't miss out Fri 27 June | 12:30–14:00. Book now: zurl.co/sEEAs

🏳️‍🌈 This Pride Month, stand with us - join Part 2 of our free webinar series - Exploring Substance Use Stigma in LGBTQIA+ Communities. Fri 27 June | 12:30–14:00. Real stories, real impact, real steps toward inclusion. 🔗 www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/sele...

This is well worth a read on #PrideMonth The #LGBT community experiences greater levels of alcohol harm than the rest of the population - partly due to coping with ongoing LGBTphobia, but also in part due to the centrality of #Alcohol to the commercial gay scene

🌈 Free webinar – 27 June, 12:30–2pm Part 2: Exploring Substance Use Stigma in LGBTQIA+ Communities Hear from lived experience voices + experts on creating inclusive, affirming support. 🎟️ Sign up: zurl.co/sOkB5

Whether you joined us for Part One of our latest webinar series or you will be joining for the first time – you are warmly welcome. Book now and together we can fight stigma - www.ticketsource.co.uk/antistigmane...

"When I joined a peer support group and mentioned being gay and HIV-positive, other members threatened to walk out, claiming they were afraid of ‘catching something’ from him. The staff did nothing, and their silence in this situation spoke volumes." 💬 📖 Read the full Q&A here: zurl.co/z8fyK

If you missed our Exploring Experiences of Substance Use Stigma in LGBTQIA+ Communities webinar, you can watch now on YouTube. Yesterday’s conversation brought together powerful voices with lived and professional experience to explore how stigma uniquely impacts LGBTQIA+ communities. zurl.co/cMVii

🎶 “Wouldn’t it be nice…” — to find recovery through creativity? In our latest blog, Alex Mazonowicz shares how art, music & community helped him heal and fight stigma. From ferry rides to orchestras, his story sings with hope. 🎨🎻 zurl.co/pWwvU

TOMORROW! Part one of our webinar series exploring how LGBTQIA+ communities experience stigma around substance use — and what we can do about it. Grab your tickets here... zurl.co/CN0bL

Is there such a thing as good stigma? Dr James Morris unpacks this idea in his latest blog, exploring why stigma, even when well-intentioned, causes harm. It doesn’t prevent behaviour, it prevents connection. Read more via our website 👇 zurl.co/Hbj4W

We’re splitting our next webinar on LGBTQIA+ stigma, substance use into 2 parts for deeper dialogue and reflection. Hear from lived experience voices, researchers on inclusion and bias. Tickets available on our website 🌈 #LGBTQIA #Stigma #Recovery #Inclusion #HarmReduction #SubstanceUse

“We wouldn’t use dehumanising images in reporting on cancer or suicide — so why is it still happening when we talk about drugs?” Karen Biggs, Chair of the Anti-Stigma Network, challenges the way some media outlets continue to weaponise stigma against people who use drugs. 📰 Read now: zurl.co/aU1XB

“I lost my brother Karl when he was 27. He was kind, honest, and struggled with addiction. Stigma followed him- and our family - then and now. I spoke with my mum about how the world treated him This blog is for Karl, my mum, and every family carrying this kind of grief.“ zurl.co/vokIi

Free webinar – Thursday 5 June, 12:30–14:00. Have you booked? www.ticketsource.co.uk/antistigmane... Let's break down barriers together - your support can make all the difference. Please share this far and wide 🌈

✨New webinar✨ Exploring stigma in LGBTQIA+ communities around substance use. 🗓 Thurs 5 June, 12:30–2pm 🎟️ Free + online: zurl.co/GgDeU Hear from experts with lived + professional experience. Part two coming soon!

Can pop culture shift stigma and inspire social change? 🎬 We interviewed Maxine Thomas-Asante about storytelling, joy, and justice. 💡“Society is not a distant concept. It starts with us.” Read our latest blog here: zurl.co/6ou1B

“I was jealous of a dog because he got food and love” Hannah shares how stigma around mental health & substance use impacts her daily life — and why she’s speaking out to create change. Read her powerful story: zurl.co/YeTBl #Stigma #MentalHealth #LivedExperience

"When it comes to women who break the law, especially those of us who stray from the rigid expectations of motherhood, caregiving, and “respectability,” the headlines aren’t just harsh.” Full Guest blog from Francesca Barker-Mills on our website: www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/blog/the-tru...

Mikki M won second place for his entry ‘Mamba Attack’ at last year’s Recovery Street Film Festival. He talks to us about his stigma has affected his life: www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/blog/dwuq0cx...

Remember our most recent webinar 'Developing Inclusion: Substance Use Related Stigma across General Practice.'? The answers to YOUR questions from our panel of guests, are now available! Click below to have a browse: zurl.co/Djg4E

A primary school teacher lost their job after speaking honestly about their alcohol use. Instead of support, they faced public shaming. This isn’t just one story—it’s a wider issue of stigma that stops people from seeking help. Read our latest blog on the topic here: zurl.co/4arG4

Last week, I attended an @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social webinar focused on substance use related stigma across general practice. It was great to explore approaches to developing inclusion & addressing the impact of societal stigma regarding alcohol & substance misuse.

Words matter. The way we talk about alcohol and addiction shapes attitudes and access to support. This isn’t ‘word policing’—it’s about reducing harm. Stigma makes it harder to seek help, but language can also create change. Read more from our latest blog: zurl.co/PBDpP #endstigma

Interesting to hear about the concept of Competent Compassion from today's webinar with @anti-stigmanetwork.bsky.social competentcompassion.org.uk "If we are competent without being compassionate or compassionate without being competent, then we fail our patient either way."

Young women need to feel seen, heard, and supported when engaging with services but so often this is not the case. We sat down with Ishara, who shared some of her experiences and recovery journey: "I felt unheard and that was frustrating.” Read her story: www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/stories/new-...

Free tickets for our webinar this Thurs sold out on the weekend, so we've had a re-jig & have increased capacity to keep up with demand. This is the 3rd webinar in our stigma series & most popular so far, if you haven’t had a chance to book you can do so here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/antistigmane...

In our latest blog, respiratory physiotherapist Magda Bannister, writes about the very personal journey that led her to being instrumental in designing an anti-stigma training package that anyone can access: www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/blog/creatin...

Looking forward to our webinar next week, with a great line up of speakers this free event promises to be an insightful look into one of the most vulnerable settings. Please bring your thoughts with you as we'll put your questions to our panel. Book here: www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/blog/pvgtbp9...

I've written this blog (more like a long read) for Anti-Stigma Network about our recent study looking at the use of 'zombie' metaphors in news reporting on drug topics www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/blog/zombie-...

What steps can we make to ensure that stigmatisation in a GP setting is reduced for people who use drugs and alcohol? Hear from our guest speakers who share their experience, insight and tips for best practice at our next webinar, Thursday 20 March. www.antistigmanetwork.org.uk/blog/pvgtbp9...