An Explainer: The Right to Addiction Recovery Bill
By Annemarie Ward
The Right to Addiction Recovery Bill is a proposed legislation in Scotland that aims to provide individuals struggling with addiction to drugs and/or alcohol the right to access necessary addiction treatment.
It seeks to enable those affected by substance abuse to receive the support and care they need to overcome their addiction and lead healthier lives.
It emphasizes the importance of treating addiction as a public health issue and acknowledges that there are various paths of treatment and recovery that people want to choose including medication, harm reduction options, self-recovery, peer support groups, healthcare professionals, religious or spiritual guidance, among others. The list is not intended to be exhaustive but should allow the person to choose the options suited to them. .
Key Components of the Bill:
Access to Necessary Treatment: The bill focuses on ensuring that individuals with drug or alcohol addiction have access to the appropriate treatment and support services tailored to their needs. This includes medical interventions, counseling, rehabilitation programs, and other forms of assistance aimed at promoting recovery from addiction. It is intended to give the person the right, and power, to choose their own treatment pathway.
Recognition of Dignity: The proposed legislation recognizes the dignity of individuals struggling with addiction and emphasizes the importance of respecting their basic rights throughout the recovery process. It highlights the need for compassionate and non-judgmental approaches in addressing substance abuse issues.
Varied Pathways to Recovery: The bill acknowledges that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery and that individuals may choose different pathways based on their preferences and circumstances. It underscores the diversity of methods through which people can initiate and sustain their journey towards sobriety.
Support from Multiple Sources: The Right to Addiction Recovery Bill underscores the value of support from various sources, including mutual aid groups, healthcare providers, community organizations, religious institutions, and other stakeholders involved in promoting recovery and well-being. It reflects the importance placed on a whole system approach, as contained within the MAT Standards and other sources of treatment rights.
Respect for Individual Choices: One of the core principles of the bill is respecting individual choices in seeking recovery. It emphasizes that individuals should have autonomy in deciding how they want to address their addiction issues and encourages a person-centered approach in providing support. It places all treatment options as a menu for people to choose, alongside a medical professional, the options and path that suits them.
In summary:
The Right to Addiction Recovery Bill in Scotland aims to establish a legal framework that guarantees individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction the right to access comprehensive treatment options while upholding their dignity, autonomy, and diverse pathways to recovery.
As legislation it does not place one option as more important as the other. All options are equal, and equally available to the person. This allows them to choose the options suited to them and request that these are placed within any care plan formulated from this.
The Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Douglas Ross MSP as a Member’s Bill. It will establish a right in law to treatment for addiction for anyone in Scotland who is addicted to either alcohol, or drugs or both.
The Bill was introduced on 14 May 2024
