Alcohol and Other Drug Harm in Rural Scotland: Addiction Looks Different Here

There is an unprecedented level of deaths from alcohol and other drugs in Scotland, and rural areas are not immune to the devastation that addiction can bring on individuals, their families, and their communities. But addiction looks different in rural Scotland in comparison to its urban counterparts, where the vast majority of recovery services are based. This chapter will look at why this is: It will look at how crime, poverty, stigma and urbanisation contribute to a stereotype of what a person with a substance use disorder ‘looks like’ and its impact in how research and services around recovery are funded. The chapter will also explore the seldom seen barrier of affluence as a contributor to addiction being hidden in rural areas. It will argue that addiction in rural Scotland is hidden in plain sight. Additionally, the chapter will look at how someone with a substance use disorder may face additional barriers in accessing support in rural Scotland, as well as how the informality of rural local agencies and support can benefit a person who may be struggling with a substance use disorder.