Evaluation examines impact of Residential Rehabilitation programme across Scotland

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has today published the final evaluation report of the Scottish Government’s Residential Rehabilitation programme, which launched in 2021 to help improve access to residential rehabilitation for people with substance use issues.

The report forms part of the wider PHS evaluation of the National Mission to reduce drug-related deaths and improve the lives of those affected by drugs. It looks at how the Residential Rehabilitation programme affected the way residential rehab is organised, how easily it can be accessed, and how well it supports people across Scotland.

The evaluation found evidence to suggest that the programme has contributed to positive change, with more people able to access residential rehabilitation and increased publicly funded provision across Scotland.

Between financial years 2019/20 and 2025/26, the number of Scottish residents starting a residential rehab placement, funded publicly or privately, increased by around 60%. The number of publicly funded placements more than doubled. The Scottish Government target for 1,000 people in Scotland to have a publicly funded residential rehabilitation placement by 2026 was met.

While the findings point to some progress, the evaluation also highlights ongoing challenges that continue to affect access to residential rehabilitation. Results from a 2025 survey of those able to refer individuals for rehab in Scotland found that only 30% of respondents agreed that residential rehab is easily accessible.

Ongoing barriers include a lack of funding to purchase placements, long waiting times for rehab and detoxification, concerns about aftercare and post-rehab support, and lack of suitable provision for some groups; including those with caring responsibilities, mental health needs and those who do not meet specific abstinence requirements.

Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant at Public Health Scotland, said:

“The evaluation provides evidence that the Residential Rehabilitation programme has improved access to residential rehab. At the same time, it highlights ongoing barriers.

“Residential rehab is most effective when delivered as part of a whole systems approach, with coordinated support across community-based services, mental health, housing, employment and criminal justice. This ensures people can access the range of support they need before, during and after treatment.”

Publication of the final synthesis report of the wider National Mission evaluation is anticipated later this year. That report will bring together evidence and insight from a range of National Mission programmes, including residential rehabilitation.

View the evaluation report of the Scottish Government’s Residential Rehabilitation programme