The number of residential rehab beds in Scotland has increased by 8% in the past year, figures show.
Statistics released on Tuesday show the number of beds jumped by 45, rising from 574 to 619, between October 2025 and August of this year.
The number of residential rehab facilities also increased from 28 to 30.
The figures come as Scotland continues to grapple with a drug deaths crisis, with an 11% jump recorded in 2025, rising to 1,133.
Alcohol and drugs minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome this increase in the number of residential rehabilitation beds which follows confirmation that the Scottish Government has exceeded its commitment to support 1,000 people into publicly funded residential rehabilitation each year, with over 1,100 people starting a publicly funded placement in 2025-26.
“We have invested £1.7 million to fund new support for residential rehabilitation and detoxification in Inverness, and last week added £750,000 to our additional placement fund which supports local alcohol and drug partnerships where demand is high to fund more places.
“We are investing in residential services across the full treatment and recovery pathway, ensuring people can access the right support at the right time and sustain their recovery in the long term.”
But the Scottish Tories described the increase as “modest”.
I’m glad to see this, but we know the drug deaths crisis is still outpacing the Scottish Government’s response
“The SNP should not be congratulating themselves for a modest increase in rehab beds after years of presiding over Scotland’s drugs deaths crisis,” the party’s health spokesman Miles Briggs said.
“They have squandered millions on drug consumption rooms like The Thistle when that money would be better spent getting people off dangerous substances and into recovery.
“Scotland needs more rehabilitation, not more SNP schemes that simply manage addiction while people continue to die.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats MSP Adam Harley said: “I’m glad to see this, but we know the drug deaths crisis is still outpacing the Scottish Government’s response.
“Residential rehab will always be a vital service and more beds are badly needed.
While drug deaths remain the highest in Europe, ministers are more interested in pouring more money into experimental consumption rooms despite zero proof they work
“No single intervention is going to turn the tide.
“Those working on the front lines need more of every intervention in order to save lives, and the Scottish Government needs to use every tool at its disposal to turn things around.”
Thomas Kerr, deputy leader of Reform UK Scotland, said: “Scotland lacks the serious, end-to-end rehabilitation infrastructure that actually helps people stop drugs for good.
“While drug deaths remain the highest in Europe, ministers are more interested in pouring more money into experimental consumption rooms despite zero proof they work.
“Addicts and their families need a Scottish Government laser focused on end-to-end rehabilitation and recovery, not a so-called safe injection space.”