managing addiction

Find out more about our addiction survey results and discover some of our useful resources that can help if you, or someone you know, is battling an addiction.


In association with our partner psychologists, Psych Health.

Many of us experience addiction at some point in our life, whether it’s ourselves or someone close to us. This might be a substance like alcohol or drugs, or something connected to our behaviours like gaming, gambling, or shopping. The most important thing to remember is that there’s absolutely no shame in this. Here at caba, we’re here to help you. 

Here you’ll find a range of useful resources around addiction, including information on how to get help and how to support someone close to you. 

what is addiction?

An addiction is a loss of control over doing, taking, or using anything to the point where it may damage your health - physical, mental and/or financial. There are two overarching categories of addictions: substance and behavioural

Just a few examples of addictions include:

• alcohol 
• gambling
• smoking
• shopping
• drugs

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, learn more about what causes addiction, how to distinguish between a habit and an addiction, and how to help a loved one through recovery.

1 in 7 accountants believe they know at least one person at work who has an addiction

The importance of getting help

The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone.

I’ve worked with many accountants over the years to support them through addiction. It’s a common issue, for people in high-stress, high-performance jobs. There is no shame in seeking help.

Dr Stefan Walters

Psychologist and addiction specialist

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what is addiction?

Our recent research has revealed that 1 in 7 accountants believe they know at least one person through work who has an addiction. To help you understand addiction better, discover the different types and recognise the signs of addiction, read this guide below.

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what are the causes of addiction

Discover the complex and varied causes behind addictive behaviour, from psychological factors to environmental triggers, and learn how habits can escalate into addiction.

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habit vs addiction: what’s the difference?

Are your daily routines just habits or something more concerning? Can a habit turn into an addiction, and how can you tell the difference? With 1 in 10 accountants sharing with us that their drinking habits have negatively impacted their life, we explore the distinction between a habit and an addiction...

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how to support a loved one suffering from addiction

Being part of someone’s support network is incredibly brave and thoughtful, but we understand this can have challenging effects on your own health. We’re here to help you navigate your emotions and recognise that looking after yourself is just as important as helping someone you care about.

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understanding addiction: how to overcome it

Addiction is a difficult journey, but it's not impossible to overcome. In this article, we'll explore where to find help and the steps you can take to recover from addiction.

 

 

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how we can help

We're here to listen. We know dealing with addiction is deeply personal and often difficult to admit or talk about. Our friendly and non-judgmental support team will give you the time and space to share your feelings and worries confidentially. 

We offer a range of support services and online resources to help you in all the areas of your life that may be impacted by addiction, such as relationships, finances, and mental health. 

And for those who require a more specialised support service, we can help signpost you to the appropriate healthcare providers.

your questions answered 

Who is eligible for support?

We support past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), ACA students, ICAEW staff members, and the family and carers of members and students. 

Not sure if you’re eligible? Use our interactive eligibility tool to check if you or your family could get support.

Are your services open to everyone, regardless of financial situation?

Most of our services, including mental health support and legal advice, are provided free regardless of your financial circumstances. For our financial grants, we will conduct an assessment, looking at your income and assets, to determine what help we can provide.

I’m an accountant, but not a member of ICAEW, can you still help?

Unfortunately not. We only support past and present ICAEW members, their carers and their families. If we are unable to support you, where possible we will point you to help elsewhere. Please visit the ACO members page to see if there is another occupational charity that can assist you. 

caba has supported me in the past; can I receive support from caba again?

We assess all applications based on current circumstances. Whether you’ve received support in the past or not, we’ll discuss all your options with you. Please call us if you need our help.

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