Please note, our office and phone lines will be closed from 23rd December to 3rd January. All queries will be responded to in the new year. 

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. 

  1. No matter where your career takes you, past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England Wales (ICAEW) are eligible for caba’s services for life, even if you change your career and leave accountancy 
  2. ACA students (ICAEW Provisional Members) who are either an active student or have been an active student within the last three years are eligible for caba's services 
  3. Past and present staff members of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's services for life, even if you leave either organisation. Please note, for former employees, our financial support is only available to those who have had five years continuous employment with either organisation 
  4. Family members and carers of either an eligible past or present ICAEW member, ACA student or past or present employee of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's support. We define a family member as a: 
    1. spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner 
    2. widow, widower or surviving civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner 
    3. divorced spouse or civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner 
    4. child aged up to 25. Please note, children aged between 16 and 25 are not eligible for individual financial support 
    5. any other person who is dependent on the eligible individual supporting them financially or are reliant on the eligible individual’s care 
    6. any other person on whom the eligible individual is reliant, either financially or for care 

You can find out more about our available support both in the UK and around the world on our support we offer page and by using our interactive eligibility tool

Are your services means-tested?

If you need financial support, we carry out a means test where we consider income, expenditure, capital and assets.  

*Please note none of our other services are means-tested. 

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.

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

We understand that circumstances change. If we’ve helped you in the past there’s no reason why we can’t help you again. You can contact us at any time. Please call us if you need our help.

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