We all know what loneliness feels like, and in the depths of addiction, it can feel insurmountable.
Loneliness Awareness Week is a reminder that there is no shame in feeling lonely, and if we talk openly about it, we can create connection out of loneliness.
Get in touch with Rehab 4 Addiction on 0800 140 4690 if you’re struggling with loneliness as part of your addiction. We can help you access support that eases that loneliness and helps you heal from addiction.
This June marks 10 years since Marmalade Trust introduced Loneliness Awareness Week. Along the way, the charity has educated us on loneliness, inspired honest conversations, and encouraged us to create meaningful connections within our communities.
Now, people from all walks of life are using this week as an opportunity to get together with people in their local area and work on preventing loneliness.
Loneliness Awareness Week 2026 will take place from the 15th-21st June, and everyone is invited to participate.
This year’s theme is Giving Loneliness a Voice. We’re anticipating lots of personal stories of loneliness, whether it’s a private chat between friends or a public presentation.
Stories will be shared by people young and old, low-income and high-income, male and female, because loneliness can affect any of us. Even those of us with wide social circles can be affected, as loneliness is about feeling disconnected from others, even if you’re not physically alone.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we’re hoping this will be an inviting time for people with addiction to open up about their loneliness journey. Loneliness can both contribute to and result from substance use, which makes it a common struggle in addiction recovery.
So, if you’re comfortable, let’s start sharing our experiences of loneliness. If not, you can get involved simply by listening to other people’s stories.
Whether it’s talking or listening, opening up the loneliness conversation this week will help put an end to the ongoing stigma.
Loneliness is a key risk factor for addiction.
One study explored loneliness differences in substance users and non-substance users, and found that the former have stronger feelings of loneliness. A theory was then presented that substance users may turn to drugs and alcohol due to feeling different from their community (1).
People land on this coping mechanism for various reasons, but loneliness is certainly one of them. Being under the influence can give us an escape from feelings of loneliness, and if we don’t have access to social support, we may feel this is our only option.
As people continue to battle addiction, they risk becoming more isolated and feeling more lonely. They may feel that no one else understands what they’re going through, and this can intensify low self-worth, which unfortunately increases the risk of an addiction escalating further.
In some cases, people with addiction don’t only feel isolated, but they are isolated. Perhaps they’ve neglected relationships because of their need for substances, or maybe their loved ones have walked away to protect themselves.
We have heard endless stories that start this way, but end in connection. Getting professional help won’t change your situation overnight, but it does help you to slowly make changes to your mindset and behaviours, which can help restore relationships.
When people are isolated, they’re missing social support. Emotional, practical and social connections.
In the addiction recovery process, these connections can be the difference between sobriety and relapse. Although sobriety is an individual choice, an isolated recovery rarely leads to positive outcomes.
Social support is extremely important for maintaining lifelong sobriety.
So, what does social support look like?
Some examples are:
These examples of support can inspire connection within communities. A quick chat may not seem significant, but it’s these small things that remind people we’re all part of a community, and there’s hope to be found even in the loneliness of recovery.
How do we know it works? We have the evidence to back it up.
In the 2025 Loneliness Awareness Week impact report, Marmalade Trust revealed that 96% of their respondents “quite” or “extremely connected” after taking part in the week (2).
Whilst this isn’t an addiction-specific figure, it’s clear that this week is beneficial for people from all walks of life. As people in recovery are more at risk of loneliness than others, celebrating this initiative could have an extremely positive impact on their lives.
Let’s go back to 2026’s theme: giving loneliness a voice. What small steps can you take this week towards this goal?
Simply learning more about Loneliness Awareness Week is a great place to start. If you feel inspired, try opening up the conversation with your loved ones, attending local events, or even planning your own activity to combat loneliness.
If you aren’t in a position to invest so much energy into this, please don’t pressure yourself. You can enjoy what others have started without having to start anything of your own just yet.
Recovery is a taxing journey, and your health should always come first.
That being said, if you’re able and ready to go, we’re not holding you back!
Here are some ideas of how you can give loneliness a voice this week:
Firstly, you’re not alone. Lots of people lack social support. It’s an unfortunate sign of the times, with more people buried in their phones and fewer people determined to say hello to their neighbours. Since the pandemic, the issue has intensified.
If you don’t have social support right now, think about whether there’s any support you may have not properly recognised.
For example, is there a family member who would have your back, but you’ve never asked for their help? Or a neighbour who’d be up for a chat, but you always seem too busy to speak to them?
Then, look at what exists in your community that you could be a part of. It might be volunteering, running clubs, pub quiz teams, or groups set up by religious organisations. Any of these allows you to be known in your community and to form relationships.
A lack of social support can seriously interfere with your mental health. When you work on your mental health with a therapist or counsellor, it can give you the tools you need to start getting involved in your community and to feel comfortable receiving support.
If you’re dealing with addiction, we would always recommend professional support regardless of whether loneliness is a factor. Going to residential rehab prepares you for a sober lifestyle, and massively reduces your relapse risk long-term.
We’re here for you at any time, but we have to say, Loneliness Awareness Week is a great time to reach out to us.
Many of our wonderful advisors know just what it’s like to feel alone in recovery, and they’ve made it their mission to connect people like you with fantastic treatment providers all over the world.
If you’re not quite ready yet, that’s okay. Call us for an open conversation about what we could potentially do for you one day. Whenever you need us, we’re ready to arrange treatment for you within days.
Call us on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international) to find out more about drug and alcohol rehab, outpatient treatment, home detoxing, and other services that are designed to treat your addiction, loneliness, and any other co-occurring challenges.
Below, we answer some common questions around this topic:
We won’t pressure you to get help. Our free telephone consultations are catered to you, so if you’re not looking to get help immediately, our advisors won’t push that.
We listen to your story, identify your needs, and help you discover what kind of support is available for you. It’s up to you to decide what to do with this information.
That said, we will always recommend that you get treatment for your addiction as soon as possible. All evidence points to this being the best thing you can do for your health and happiness.
Rehab isn’t solely about substances. Medical professionals understand that many different factors influence addiction, so these factors are incorporated into the addiction recovery process.
This includes diet, exercise, mental health conditions, family history, trauma, relationships, career, and today’s theme: loneliness.
Rehab tackles loneliness by removing the stigma of addiction. It brings together people with similar experiences, who can bond over their challenges and successes, both socially and in group therapy.
It’s also a chance for the individual to explore the causes of their addiction. If loneliness plays a key role, the client will be encouraged to explore this in 1:1 therapy and work on healthy coping mechanisms and lifestyle changes.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4295122/
[2] https://www.marmaladetrust.org/law
