framing addiction and dependence message guide

Title: Framing Addiction and Dependence Message Guide

Topics: Addiction, Dependence, Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, Stigma

Published: June 2025

Partner: Turning Point

This message guide has been designed for people who talk about addiction or dependence in Australia, including clinicians, researchers, policymakers, people with lived experience, and others working to reduce stigma and increase support.

The guide is based on in-depth message research and testing involving a full discourse analysis, interviews with advocates, and online message testing (including dial testing) with over 2,400 Australians.

Framing Addiction and Dependence is designed to support public communications like media, public policy, advocacy, or campaigns, and is not designed for clinical health settings or communications directly with someone experiencing addiction or dependence.