02 April 2026
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75% of people who accessed WithYou’s drug and alcohol service made positive progress
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Average wait time of just two days from referral to first assessment
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99% attendance rate at group work sessions
More than one person a day receives specialist drug and alcohol support in the Scottish Borders, with three-quarters of those who engage making positive progress.
WithYou's Borders service assessed and supported 448 adults aged 16 or over during 2025, delivering more than 4,000 one-to-one appointments.
Seventy-eight people participated in group work sessions, with a 99% attendance rate as people shared experiences and learned coping strategies together.
More people are finding their way to support than ever before. In 2025, 448 people were assessed, up from 417 in 2024 and 380 in 2023. This reflects the service's work to reduce stigma, improve access, and build trust in local communities.
People waited an average of just two days from referral to first assessment, ensuring quick access to support when they need it most.
Chloe McGurk, 24, from Galashiels, is one of the people whose life has been transformed by the service. After years of struggling with substance use and undiagnosed neurodivergence, she walked into WithYou's MAP (Mutual Aid Partnership) group in Galashiels 28 months ago.
"I was absolutely terrified," Chloe recalled. "I had my fidget toys in my pocket. I hardly said a word."
Group settings had never worked for Chloe. Even after stopping using substances, isolation and social anxiety had crept back in. But the MAP group was different.
"It's structured but not strict," she explained. "If I feel overwhelmed, I can say to my recovery worker James, 'I need five minutes.' He'll open the door and that's fine. At other group meetings I've been to, there's no chance I could do that."
Chloe's recovery worker, James Nichol, is neurodivergent himself and has helped her understand the link between ADHD and her relationship with substances.
"He gets me. He sees the face I make before I'm about to melt down. And he knows what to do," says Chloe. "I always feel like I've got security."
Now 28 months into her recovery, Chloe has taught herself Spanish, started a craft business, and performed on stage, achievements she says would have been impossible before getting sober.
"I never thought I could get help. Now I'm proud of myself sober. And I know I can do things I never imagined," she says.
Anthea Young, service manager at WithYou Borders, said Chloe's story shows what's possible when people get the right support at the right time.
She added: “James and the wider team work hard to create an environment where people feel safe, understood and able to work towards their own goals.
"The Borders has a strong network of support, and we're proud to work alongside NHS Borders, the local alcohol and drug partnership and Borders in Recovery to make sure people can access help quickly and without barriers."
Claire McCutcheon, WithYou's Head of Service Delivery, said: "Every person who comes through our doors has their own story, their own challenges, and their own strengths. Our job is to meet people where they are and help them move towards the life they want."
People aged 16 and over can refer themselves to WithYou's Borders service or be referred by a GP, social worker or other professional by calling 01896 664150 or visiting www.wearewithyou.org.uk/local-hubs/scottish-borders
