AJ author signatureHope Beyond AddictionBooks by Andrew Jones
Help and encouragement

Easy Read

Addiction and learning disabilities

You matter. Your safety matters. It is OK to ask for help.

This picture guide uses illustrated adults and simple symbols. The same information is written in larger text below.

Illustrated Easy Read picture guide about addiction, feeling safe, telling someone you trust and finding help. Full text is provided below.

Addiction can affect anyone

Addiction can happen when a person finds it very hard to stop drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

It can affect family and friends too.

Are you worried about someone?

Someone you care about may drink too much alcohol or take drugs.

Their behaviour may change. You may feel worried, frightened, angry, sad, confused or lonely.

It is OK to ask for help.

You have the right to feel safe

Nobody should hurt you, frighten you, threaten you or take your money.

Nobody should make you buy alcohol or drugs, do something you do not want to do, or keep a secret that makes you frightened.

If you do not feel safe, tell someone you trust.

Tell someone you trust

You could talk to someone in your family, a friend, a support worker, a social worker, your doctor or an advocate.

If you are in danger now, call 999.

Are you worried about your own drinking or drug use?

You can ask for help.

Having a learning disability should not stop you getting help.

Talk to your doctor, a support worker, a drug or alcohol service, or someone you trust. You can ask someone to come with you.

If something is hard to understand

You can say:

  • “Please explain it again.”
  • “Please use easier words.”
  • “Can I have this in Easy Read?”
  • “Can someone I trust be with me?”

It is OK to ask questions.

Someone else's addiction is not yours to control

You may love someone who has an addiction. You may want to help them.

But you cannot make another person stop drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

You can look after yourself. You can ask for help. You can say no.

Ask yourself

  • Do I feel safe?
  • Am I frightened?
  • Is somebody taking my money?
  • Is somebody making me do things I do not want to do?
  • Do I have someone I can talk to?

If you are worried, tell someone you trust.

You do not have to solve everything today

Take one step at a time.

You could tell someone: “I am worried. I need some help.”

Finding help

Your doctor can help you find support. Tell them if you need information in Easy Read.

If you feel unsafe, tell someone you trust. If you are in danger now, call 999.

Hope Beyond Addiction

We share lived experience and information.

We do not give medical or professional advice.

You matter. Your safety matters. It is OK to ask for help.