Accessing River Garden Recovery Centre

River Garden offers a 6-month residential recovery programme supported by pre-admission and aftercare support.

Eligibility and Funding

We create a structured yet peaceful environment where you will discover a rewarding balance between activity and calm:

  • Age and Location: Must be over 18 and living in Scotland.
  • Substance Use: Must be drug and alcohol free prior to admission. We will consider people on Buvidal.
  • Unique Feature: We are a Dog-Friendly centre and will support residents to bring their dog wherever possible.
Buildings with brick walls and dark roofs are set against a wooded hillside, with a grassy field in the foreground.

Referrals and Admissions

  • Referral Dates: We are open to referrals from December 2025.
  • How to Apply: We do not accept self-referrals. Please ask your community case worker or professional (involved in your detox, support, or recovery) to refer you.
  • Support Process: Following a referral, a key worker is immediately allocated to provide support throughout the entire journey - in, through, and beyond River Garden.
A garden path lined with flowers, leading past a greenhouse and manicured hedges.

Exclusion of Certain Medications

The team will work with you to support you to make the right choice and if we both believe River Garden is the right fit for you. we'll work together to make that happen. If you are on prescribed medication we need to understand why and the impact that may have on you. You will be coming to an abstinent service and you'll also be working with machinery. Some medications will need further discussion about suitability, for example:

  • DF118 (Dihydrocodeine)
  • Gabapentin
  • Pregabalin (Lyrica)

These medications can pose a high risk of abuse/misuse and present significant safety hazards due to side effects (drowsiness, impaired motor skills) in our mandatory hands-on work environment.