About Us
Because addiction affects more than one person.
Behind every person experiencing addiction, there may be a family trying to understand, a partner struggling to cope, a parent who cannot stop worrying or a friend who doesn't know what to say.
Their experiences matter too.
Addiction & Us exists to provide direction, support and understanding to the people whose lives are affected by someone else's addiction.
We believe nobody should have to navigate that experience alone.
Addiction & Us provides free information, practical guidance and trusted signposting for families and friends affected by addiction. We are not an emergency service or a substitute for professional medical, psychological or safeguarding support.
Our values
Compassion
We listen without judgement.
Understanding
We help people make sense of difficult experiences.
Empowerment
We support people to make informed decisions.
Connection
We believe human support matters.
Trust
We prioritise privacy, safety and credible information.
Why I Started Addiction & Us
By Callum Butterworth, Founder
My name is Callum. I’m 22 years old, and at 20, I entered residential rehab for addiction.
It’s an experience that changed my life and gave me a completely different understanding of addiction, recovery and the people affected along the way.
When I started sharing my journey on social media, something unexpected happened.
People began reaching out to me. Not just people struggling with addiction, but parents, partners, siblings and friends. People who were scared, exhausted, confused and often didn’t know where to turn.
Their stories made me realise just how far the ripple effect of addiction reaches.
I’d experienced that impact first-hand, but hearing so many others share their experiences made me realise something important:
The people surrounding addiction need support too.
That’s why I created Addiction & Us.
A place built from lived experience, where people can better understand addiction, make sense of what they’re going through and find their next step towards support.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. I’m still learning, still growing and still on my own recovery journey.
But I believe that something positive can come from even the most difficult experiences.
Because addiction affects more than one person. And nobody should have to face it alone.
Callum Butterworth
Founder, Addiction & Us