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The number of Scots in residential rehab has surged by about 60% in the last six years, figures show.

Some 1,441 Scottish residents accessed rehab in 2025-26, up from 903 in 2019-20, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS).

In total, 1,874 people started either privately or publicly funded rehab in Scotland. Of those, 1,259 individuals were publicly funded, including 1,184 Scottish residents.

In its report, PHS said there had been a “clear shift towards fewer individuals accessing privately funded rehab and more individuals accessing publicly funded rehab”.

The number of people who started publicly or privately funded residential rehabilitation placement in Scotland. (Public Health Scotland)

There has also been a shift towards more Scottish residents and fewer non-Scottish residents accessing rehab in Scotland, it added.

PHS said access to publicly funded residential rehab in Scotland has “substantially improved”.

The figures mean the Scottish Government has met its target of 1,000 people starting a publicly funded residential rehab programme.

However, the report noted concerns among the workers delivering residential rehab.

Among 151 rehab staff surveyed for the report, only 30% said rehab was easily accessible.

Meanwhile, 50% said long waits had become more of a barrier to treatment and 46% said a lack of funding had become more of a barrier.