Addaction's history

In February 1967, the Guardian published an article from a mother whose son was addicted to heroin. The author was a woman called Mollie Craven, and Mollie appealed for other parents like herself to form an association.

“At present”, she wrote, “we parents of addicts are a neglected and ignored group. Some parents have eventually despaired of their child and closed their doors. Perhaps with help and encouragement they might be able to try again with a fuller understanding of the problem, and with support.” You can read the whole article here.

Out of this article an organisation called APA – standing for the association of the parents of addicts – was born. At first, APA delivered a small number of services funded by grants and private fundraising. When more harm reduction policies were introduced in the UK to reduce the spread of blood-borne disease, APA developed their treatment services accordingly.

Relationships were built with Government, and policy makers were invited to visit the services themselves. When illicit drug use and availability of drugs in the UK increased, APA campaigned for more and better treatment responses, including greater and earlier interventions with children, young people and families.

In 1997, APA rebranded as Addaction. Addaction now provide services to over 25,000 people a year in 70 services across the country from Addaction Scotland down to Cornwall. Over 60 services offer drug treatment support to adults in community-based programmes and we currently have nine dedicated young people’s services under the brand youngaddaction.

Our clients come from all backgrounds and are of all ages. Some have long-term addiction and dependency problems and we assess their needs and provide a programme to help them work towards abstinence.

Sadly Mollie Craven died in 2006, but her initial appeal 40 years ago has resulted in Addaction being the largest specialist drug and alcohol treatment agency in the UK. Over those 40 years, the treatment and support available to individuals has improved. Our beginnings were based with the family and Addaction is still campaigning for family work to be recognised as an essential part of treatment and prevention.

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