Kate Middleton Urges Those Struggling With Addiction During COVID-19 Lockdown To Seek Help

Startling research shows that a quarter of UK adults are drinking more in lockdown and now Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, is urging those who are struggling to seek help.

She recently made a virtual visit to a rehab center in Wiltshire, Clouds House, and saw for herself how professionals are keeping to their life-saving work while in lockdown.

Action on Addiction is one of the Duchess’ patronage

The rehab center is run by one of Kate’s patronages, Action on Addiction. During lockdown and isolation, its staff have practiced vigorous infection control and followed PHE and Government guidelines, allowing the center to remain open.

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During the video call, Kate said, “The worrying thing is, it is all those people who aren’t necessarily reaching out who are struggling, who perhaps don’t feel they can reach out.”

She added, “maybe they haven’t realized that addictive behaviors have sort of established, particularly if it’s the first time – and it’s those people who aren’t necessarily being vocal about it.”

She made the video call from her family home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk. During the call, she asked the team about how they have adapted their treatment services and learned they have taken treatment online and reconfigured the facility in order to allow 10 residential patients to safely isolate for two weeks.

The results of a national YouGov poll indicates that addictive behaviors are rising as a result of the pandemic

A recent poll shows that nearly 40% of those with a history of addiction has had a recurrence of addictive behavior or have relapsed while in recovery.

During the Covid-19 crisis, the data indicates an increase in addictive behavior in children as young as 12.

Kate asked Dr. Simone Yule and treatment manager Anya Sparks if there was a spike in the number of people contacting them for emergency help.

Yule said, “We are seeing more alcohol issues and in the community. I think definitely we know alcohol sales have gone up exponentially, so the rise in people that are now starting to seek treatment with lockdown gradually lifting, I think that is going to have a big impact.”

She was also told during the call that, “More people are drinking and gambling but also we are concerned about the number of people who are struggling to maintain their recovery and are getting into relapse. We are particularly concerned about families and young people and the impact that lockdown and addiction is having.”

As part of the virtual call Kate was given a tour of the center and waved to team members who made sure to socially distance outside.