20 Jul 2026
For many of us, work is about more than a pay cheque. It provides structure, purpose and a sense of identity. Having a stable home offers security and the foundation from which we can build our lives. Yet for many people experiencing addiction, both employment and housing can remain out of reach, creating barriers that can hinder recovery and long-term wellbeing.
The newly published Addiction in the UK Report (2026) by The Forward Trust and Crest Advisory shines a spotlight on these challenges. The report found that in many areas of the UK, fewer than one-third of people starting or engaged in treatment are participating in education, employment or training. While the relationship between addiction and employment is complex, the evidence is clear that economic inactivity and unemployment are associated with poorer health outcomes, including deteriorating mental health.
At the same time, addiction itself can prevent people from finding and sustaining employment. Many face challenges including stigma, gaps in employment history, health conditions, poor confidence or mindset, housing insecurity and a lack of understanding from some employers. The result is that too many people are excluded from opportunities that could support both their recovery and their long-term independence.
Housing is another crucial part of the picture. The report highlights the close relationship between housing instability and economic inactivity. Encouragingly, most people accessing treatment services have established accommodation. However, the report also found that 21% of people presenting to treatment for the first time in England did not have a home of their own, rising to 41% of those seeking support for opiate use.
Anyone who has experienced homelessness, rough sleeping or even hidden homelessness through sofa surfing will recognise the additional barriers this creates. Attending appointments, engaging in recovery programmes, searching for work or maintaining a job become significantly more difficult when you are uncertain where you will sleep at night.
These challenges sit within a wider national context. Sir Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working Review (2026) highlighted that 2.8 million working-age people are now economically inactive due to health conditions, an increase of 800,000 since 2019. The review also warned that around 600,000 workers with health conditions or disabilities are at risk of leaving the workforce by 2030 if more support is not provided. Meanwhile, the Work Foundation's A Divided Workforce 2025 report found that workers experiencing poor health are significantly more likely to fear they may be unable to remain in employment.
At The Forward Trust, we see every day that work can be a powerful part of recovery when people are given the right support. Through our Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment services for people in substance misuse treatment, alongside our delivery of Connect to Work , we help individuals move towards sustainable employment while supporting their wider recovery journey. More broadly Forward also provide specialist housing advice, support with housing applications, homelessness prevention and tenancy sustainment services, as well as Adult Skills provision and Restart.
The outcomes speak for themselves. In 2025/26, our Good Rated IPS Service supported 65% of participants into employment, with 62% sustaining employment for at least 26 weeks. Behind these figures are people who have rebuilt confidence, secured stable incomes, strengthened family relationships and taken important steps towards lasting recovery.
Our experience has taught us several important lessons about what works.
First, outreach and engagement matter. Many people facing addiction, housing challenges or economic inactivity are not actively seeking employment support. Building trust through community engagement and working closely with local voluntary and community sector organisations helps us reach those who may otherwise be excluded.
Second, employment must be part of the recovery conversation from the beginning. Recovery workers, drug and alcohol practitioners and support staff play a vital role in helping individuals see employment, volunteering and work experience as achievable goals that can positively contribute to recovery and wellbeing.
Third, we need to do more to engage employers. Many employers want to be inclusive but lack confidence or understanding about addiction and recovery, as well as the talent they are missing. By creating opportunities for employers to hear directly from people with lived experience, attend awareness events and understand the support available, we can break down stigma and open up more employment opportunities.
We have also learned that supporting people to stay in work is just as important as helping them find work. Encouraging individuals to disclose support needs where appropriate, helping employers make reasonable adjustments and providing ongoing in-work support can significantly improve retention and progression. The Charlie Mayfield review recommended the Healthy Working Lives agenda and a real opportunity to strengthen employer practice through recognised standards that support workplace health and inclusion.
Perhaps most importantly, people are inspired by people. Individuals with lived experience who have successfully moved into employment or self-employment are often the most powerful advocates for recovery. Their stories demonstrate what is possible and provide hope to those at the start of their journey.
The evidence is clear: employment, housing and recovery are deeply interconnected. Too often, systems treat them as separate challenges. Yet sustainable progress requires a joined-up approach that addresses health, housing and work together.
If we are serious about tackling economic inactivity, improving recovery outcomes and creating healthier communities, we must invest in integrated support that helps people find stable homes, access treatment and move into good-quality work. By joining the dots between these issues, we can help more people build healthier, more fulfilling futures.
The Forward Trust are encouraged by the Government’s announcement about the Future of Employment Support and also the Pathways to Work Innovation Fund.
The Forward Trust is a growing employability and housing provider, delivering DWP contracts, Connect to Work, IPS, Adult Skills, recovery housing, housing support and a private rental support service. The Forward Trust is a Matrix Accredited and Ofsted Good judged provider.
Read Addiction in the UK report
