Aberlour's Families in Recovery briefing

Aberlour's Families in Recovery briefing sets out why Scotland must Keep The Promise for mothers affected by drugs and their children. It draws on national data and our Families Voices research with women in recovery supported by Aberlour’s Intensive Perinatal Services and Mother and Child Recovery Houses.

Drugs harm in Scotland

Scotland has the highest drug-related deaths in Europe, up 11% in the past year. Those living in the most deprived areas are 15 times more likely to die from drugs, and around 510 children will have lost a mother or father to drugs in 2025. The number of women who died from drugs in Scotland fell last year by 5%, suggesting that targeted women-specific services are beginning to have an impact in reducing drugs harms for women and their children.

Barriers facing mothers

For women, the drivers of substance use often include trauma, domestic abuse, poor mental health, poverty and debt. Many mothers don't seek help because of stigma and the fear of their children being removed. Mothers with addiction are six times more likely than fathers to have their children removed. Mother and child specific services – both community-based family support and residential rehabilitation and recovery services – are vital to reduce drugs harm affecting mothers and their children.

Our services for mothers and children

Aberlour runs two national Mother and Child Recovery Houses, where children up to the age of five can stay with their mums during recovery, with 24/7 support. Since 2022, we have supported 39 women and 39 babies, all of whom were at risk of being removed. Aberlour’s recovery services are trauma-informed, relationship-based, and focused on improving outcomes for both mothers and their children.

"If this was a rehab where you couldn't bring kids, I think I would have left before now… It's so lovely to have her here as well."
- Mum supported by Aberlour

Scaling up what works

Only 8 of Scotland's 574 residential rehabilitation places are women-only spaces for mothers and babies. We are calling for:

• A national approach to trauma-informed, whole-family support for mothers in recovery
• Action to remove the barriers to recovery support, including stigma
• Further investment in intensive perinatal and women-specific residential services
• Intensive perinatal support extended beyond a child's first birthday
• A relentless focus on tackling child poverty

Read our full briefing

The full briefing sets out the data, our services and the actions needed to reduce drug harm for women and their children. For more information, contact Kay Steven, Policy Officer, at Kay.Steven@aberlour.org.uk.