Caring Kate’s heartfelt message to all addicts

THE PRINCESS of Wales has issued a personal plea to people suffering with an addiction to not let shame prevent them seeking help.In a video message being released today to mark the start of Addiction Awareness Week, Kate said it was a serious health condition and not a choice.

- Richard Palmer

The Princess has been working to highlight the problem for the past decade after concluding it cuts across society and, together with family breakdown and poor mental health, is at the heart of many of our country's ills.

A poll last year found 59 per cent of people in Britain know someone with an addiction. Drink, drugs, tobacco and gambling are best known but others include anything from solvents to work, the internet or shopping.