Open Houses

Open Houses is a national campaign launched at the House of Lords on 7 July 2026 to shine a light on stated funded residential drug and alcohol treatment across England.

The campaign invites commissioners, clinicians, policymakers, Community drug and alcohol teams and local communities to “Open the door to recovery” and see for themselves the difference that residential rehab makes in supporting recovery, families, and communities.

A chance to see the reality of residential rehab

As part of the campaign, each residential rehab will host an open event, offering visitors the opportunity to:

• Meet staff and people in recovery
• Learn how residential treatment supports long-term recovery
• See structured, evidence-based programmes in practice
• Understand how services work alongside community treatment, housing and aftercare

Challenging misconceptions and improving understanding

Residential rehab is a vital but often misunderstood part of the treatment system. Many services have had to close over the past decade, due to reduced funding which has meant access has become more limited, despite clear evidence of it effectiveness and the growing need.

Open Houses aims to change that by creating transparency, insight, and dialogue —helping people move beyond assumptions and see how services operate day-to-day.

A sector under pressure—but still innovating

Despite funding and access challenges, residential services continue to adapt and innovate, supporting people with multiple disadvantage, co-occurring mental health needs, and complex social circumstances.

Nationally:

• Dame Carol Blake in 2021 from Harm to Hope mentioned in her report that 2% of people should receive Resi rehab treatment. Currently Around 1% of people in drug and alcohol treatment access residential rehab each year
• Across Europe, the average is closer to 11%
• Despite increasing harms from drugs and alcohol use - access to rehab has declined significantly over the last decade, with fewer services and placements available 

Open Houses highlights both:

• The value and impact of residential treatment and how flexible the programmes and treatments are to be person centric
• The need to protect and strengthen access for the future.

Visit Open Houses for more information