Mental health conditions and addiction often go hand in hand and are known as co-occurring conditions. It is a complex relationship that often works in both directions – mental health conditions can increase the risk of addiction whilst addiction can impact mental health. Why is addiction so closely linked with mental health? People often turn to addictive behaviours such as drinking alcohol or taking substances because in the short term they can make us feel relaxed, happy a

Summer is frequently thought of as the happiest season of the year. Warmer days, longer nights and social diaries filled with festivals, BBQs, holidays and celebrations. In the UK, drinking alcohol is often considered the norm when it comes to making memories in the sun but when someone is battling addiction, summer can be tremendously difficult. Why is summer hard for people facing addiction? It can feel like alcohol is everywhere, particularly over the summer months when hi

The Freemason's charity writes a guest blog post this Alcohol Awareness Week about the impact of their funding on families.