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Addiction is the compulsive need to partake in an activity or taking a habit-forming substance to the extent it affects your health and wellbeing.

Addiction can affect health, relationships, work, finances and everyday life. It may involve alcohol, drugs, prescription medication or behaviours that feel difficult to control.

Recovery Scotland is an information and referral support service. We do not operate a residential rehab centre and we do not provide clinical treatment directly. We help people understand addiction treatment options and, where appropriate, connect with suitable treatment providers.

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Recovery Scotland can offer confidential guidance and referral support to help you explore addiction treatment options and discuss suitable providers where appropriate.

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The Signs of Addiction

Addiction can affect mental health, physical health and behaviour. Some people may also experience mental health concerns that overlap with addiction, such as anxiety, depression, trauma or stress.

Possible signs can include:

  • Insomnia or fatigue
  • Memory or concentration problems
  • Sudden weight changes
  • Slurred speech
  • Changes in pupils or appearance
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Relationship, work, legal or financial problems
  • Difficulty cutting down despite harm

If any of this applies to you or someone else, it may be time to speak with a qualified professional or treatment provider.

How Can I Treat My Addiction?

Addiction treatment should be based on assessment by an appropriately qualified professional or treatment provider. Depending on the person and provider, support may include detox, therapy, relapse prevention planning, mental health support, group work, family involvement and aftercare.

Some people may benefit from residential rehab, while others may be more suited to outpatient or community-based support. Clinical decisions, medication, detox suitability and admission decisions should be made by the treatment provider.

Detox can involve medical risks, particularly for alcohol, benzodiazepines and some other substances. Suitability for detox should be assessed by an appropriately qualified professional or treatment provider.

Addiction Treatment Options

Recovery Scotland can help people explore treatment options for different types of addiction. Useful pages include:

 

How Recovery Scotland Can Help

Recovery Scotland can provide confidential guidance and referral support for people looking for addiction treatment options in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK.

We do not provide treatment directly and we do not operate a rehab centre. Where appropriate, we can discuss suitable providers and support the enquiry or referral process.

If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call 999. For non-emergency medical advice in Scotland, contact NHS 24 on 111 or speak to a GP.

John Gillen - Director & Author at Nova Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: June 17, 2026

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.