Landmark research supports rollout of recovery houses

Scotland’s drugs minister has warned new mothers are at extra risk because stigma stops them seeking life-changing support.

Maree Todd warned mothers and women, in general, face additional obstacles finding help for substance use before promising more support to protect them and their children.

The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol was speaking at the launch of a report by Aberlour Children’s Charity detailing the work of two landmark recovery houses for mothers and their babies when she hailed their record in keeping families together.

The event in Glasgow launched the Families’ Voices research describing the experience of mothers, who were helped to recover while strengthening bonds with their babies at the houses in Falkirk and Dundee.

Todd said their stories of recovery were powerful and inspiring, adding:

One of the biggest challenges faced by Scotland today is the harm caused by alcohol and drug use.

“Sadly, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women experiencing these harms.

“We know that women often face additional challenges and get extra stigma when seeking recovery, making it harder to get the help they need.

“We also know that women need different and specialist services like those offered by Aberlour.

“That work is vital in keeping families together and giving children the best possible start in life.

She said the Mother and Child Recovery Houses – The Burrow in Falkirk and Discovery Grove in Dundee – had received £5million from the Scottish Government to help increase the number of residential rehab beds.

She said:

There were very limited options available for residential services for women and for those with childcare responsibilities and a clear need to create and grow those types of services.

“Since stepping into my role earlier in the year, I have already seen how much of an impact both houses have had since opening.

“I was particularly moved by recent reports that nearly three quarters of the children referred into the houses have remained with their mothers full time, avoiding the need for care placements.”

“That is a powerful result.

The minister also said more money was being spent on perinatal support in the community and, responding to questions about short-term funding for Third Sector support services, said the government was committed to longer contracts.

She said:

The insecurity of charity funding is a real challenge.

“Charities are expending a lot of energy and effort just keeping their heads above water and I want them to spend that energy focusing on their purpose rather than keeping the wolves from the door.

The research published at the event on Monday warns the lives of new mothers and the life chances of their babies are being risked by a postcode lottery in specialist support and recommends the rollout of recovery houses to other regions.

Scottish Government figures suggest up to 60,000 children may be affected by alcohol and drugs use in their families, while research found many deaths of new mothers are linked to mental health or substance harm, caused by suicide, and often follow a child being taken into care.

One of the 23 mothers who contributed to the research said their lives had been transformed by their time in a recovery house, adding:

By sharing our stories, we can show why it is so vital these services are strengthened and made available to more families across Scotland.

The charity’s chief executive, Justina Murray, welcomed the minister’s support and said investment in community-based services will be recouped from reduced spending on unnecessary crisis intervention and avoided care.

She said:

This important research focusing on our work in Dundee and Falkirk raises the voice of mothers, ensuring their stories of recovery are heard.

“Their experience must shape the support available and, wherever they live in Scotland, mothers and their children must have a clear route to effective and non-judgemental perinatal services.

This article was written for the Sunday Post and published on Sunday 7th December 2025.

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