On a sunny day in September, we joined thousands of passionate advocates, families, and individuals in recovery for the 16th annual FAVOR UK Recovery Walk festival. The event is a celebration of recovery, hope, and resilience. It brought together people from all sectors of the industry as well as the individuals most affected by addiction - united by the belief that recovery is possible.

As part of the event, we had the privilege of interviewing Anne Marie Ward, the CEO of FAVOR UK, about a ground-breaking piece of legislation that’s gaining attention in Scotland: the Right to Recovery Bill. This bill, which Anne Marie and many others have tirelessly campaigned for over the past five years, represents a crucial turning point in the fight for comprehensive addiction recovery services.

The Right to Recovery Bill: A Beacon of Hope

The Right to Recovery Bill stands as a beacon of hope for individuals and families affected by addiction. It seeks to ensure that anyone battling addiction has the legal right to access a full range of treatment options. As Anne Marie put it during our interview, "People would have the right to addiction treatment of their choice, It would make access to the treatment part of the law, that would mean politicians, at their whim, could not change the funding into the sector."

In her article The Right to Recovery Bill: A Beacon of Hope for Comprehensive Addiction Treatment in Scotland, Anne Marie Ward wrote, “This milestone belongs not just to us, the campaigners, but to every individual longing for a system that fosters real support and access to recovery for themselves and their loved ones.” Her words highlight the deep frustration with a system that has historically underserved those in need and the powerful hope that the bill represents for meaningful reform.

The latest drug strategy, ‘From Harm to Hope: A 10-Year drugs plan to cut crime and save lives’ promised a more holistic approach. However, a 2023 House of Commons report criticises the strategy for still focusing too much on criminalisation, noting that “the Government’s response could go further by adopting a broader range of public health-based harm reduction methods in tandem with its support of law enforcement efforts to tackle the illicit drugs market.”

To read more on the latest drug reform visit our article Experts urge the new government to rethink ineffective drug policies.

There have been drastic cuts to drug and alcohol services and treatment in the past 10 years.

For example. Birmingham City Council cut its addiction treatment budget from £26 million to £19 million in the 2015-16 period to cut costs. That’s a reduction of almost 27%.

This is another reason why the Recovery Bill is so significant as it has the potential to repair damage caused by the cuts and offer treatment for all that need it.

Lester Morse, Director of Rehabs UK states, “There’s a feeling of hopelessness, as addiction services like ours do everything they can to help those suffering with alcohol and drug addiction, knowing full well that alone, we won’t be able to provide essential and potentially life-saving care to everyone that needs it.”

What the Bill Proposes

The Right to Recovery Bill is a response to the disparities in addiction treatment access, often referred to as a “postcode lottery.” Its key provisions include:

• Treatment Access and Choice: Individuals seeking addiction treatment will have the right to choose from a variety of treatment options and access them without delay unless a medical professional deems it harmful.
• Comprehensive Care Rights: Should treatment be denied or delayed, individuals will have the right to challenge these decisions through legal means.
• Uniform Distribution of Services: The bill addresses the uneven availability of services across Scotland, ensuring that no one is left behind due to their location.

This legislation aims to create a more equitable system where addiction recovery services are as accessible and comprehensive as those protecting children's rights under the UNCRC. For many, it represents not just a legal change, but a long-overdue shift toward a recovery-focused approach to addiction.

If you or a loved one are looking for treatment options such as home detox, online therapy or in-patient rehab don't hesitate to contact our team.

How You Can Support?

Spread the word: Share your support on social media using the hashtag #OorBill and follow @FAVORUK to stay informed.

As the Right to Recovery Bill approaches parliamentary discussions, now is the time to stand with those in recovery, their families, and the advocates who have fought tirelessly for this reform. Together, we can ensure that recovery is a right, not a privilege.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction in any form please contact our fully-trained treatment advisors who are on hand to offer support and guidance to help on the road to recovery.