Service manager: Claire Paterson
Address: Rae House Alford Aberdeenshire AB33 8NU
Email: rae.house@phoenixfutures.org.uk - Call: 0333 041 6071
Phoenix Futures is a charitable provider of substance use services providing support services across community, prisons, residential and housing settings. Founded in 1969 on a passion for showing that recovery from drugs and alcohol is possible. We have been successfully supporting people to achieve long term recovery for more than 30 years in Scotland and for over 55 years across the wider UK.
We provide support to all adults aged 18 and over. In some circumstances we may be able to support those aged 16-18. We cater to both male and female residents with specific gender sections and accept referrals from across Scotland. Maximum medication levels are flexible based on assessment and in consultation with our service doctor. Typically:
Due to our Scottish Government grant funding, this service is currently limited to Scottish residents until March 2026.
At Rae House, our programme is typically 6 months and based on individual need. We will work closely with you to recommend a personalised approach that reflects your goals. We practice a Therapeutic Community Model of support. The Therapeutic Community approach to recovery offers a structured, supportive environment designed to support an individual’s health and wellbeing.
Each person that we support at Rae House is referred to as a ‘Community Member’ and is an important part of the Therapeutic Community. The Therapeutic Community is built on community members actively participating in their own and each other’s recovery through a combination of peer support, group therapy, and various therapeutic activities, fostering personal growth and recovery within a communal setting.
Every part of the service is designed to support residents through a carefully blended approach to substance use and wider needs. The service provides a comprehensive treatment programme within a holistic Therapeutic Community setting, offering a wide range of health and social care services tailored to the individual needs of each community member. The programme promotes positive change by supporting individuals to develop their self-worth and personal responsibility whilst challenging individual attitudes and behaviours.
We offer a structured groupwork programme which incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) influenced methods and behavioural role play therapy. The programme may include personal and behavioural development interventions, relapse prevention, harm reduction, peer-led groups and meetings, gender support, social and community activities, mutual aid, and employability.
At the heart of the Therapeutic Community is peer support. Community members help and nurture each other’s journey through the programme. Working together and taking responsibility for the smooth running of the house provides a safe, supportive and structured environment where individuals can explore the underlying reasons for their substance use and develop the skills necessary to lead a drug and alcohol-free life. We call people who have completed their treatment programme Graduates.
We welcome Graduates to return to support community members on their paths to recovery and take part in some aspects of the programme delivery.
In Rae House we have a dedicated staff team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals that are on hand to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The multi-disciplinary staff team includes trained Therapeutic Workers who carry a caseload and provide both 1:1 and group interventions. We have an Assessment and Referral worker who supports with referrals and admissions and a Sustainable Recovery Worker who provides aftercare for those that have left the service. We also have an on-site Registered Mental Health Nurse as part of the team and a contracted GP who provides support with Medically Monitored detox for those that require it.
We understand that substance use impacts not only individuals, but also family members and loved ones. All of our residential services help support access to mutual and emotional support for families and loved ones. Whether community members have existing relationships with loved ones or wish to rebuild relationships, where appropriate, we will support this. In addition to inviting family members to attend care plan reviews, we offer family members visits to give loved ones the opportunity to see the service and understand the programme.
All visits are subject to a thorough risk assessment, particularly where children are involved, and are pre-arranged to ensure that everyone can enjoy regular visits. We recognise that those who stay with us may come from different regions across the country, making travel difficult. In these cases, we offer the option of virtual visits for loved ones who are unable to travel to the service, ensuring that connections are maintained regardless of distance.
We can also connect family members and loved ones with partner organisations that offer the support they need.
Access to family support is available through external partners such as FASS, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), and Al-Anon UK. Both SFAD and Al-Anon UK visit Rae House on a fortnightly and monthly basis. In addition, families connected to Rae House also participate in our Glasgow residential service virtual family support group.
Individuals that are referred to Rae House receive pre-admission support and are provided with telephone and/or virtual support from our Assessment and Referral Worker. Visits to the service are encouraged and supported where possible. The service works closely with existing pre-admission services in different local authorities throughout the country to ensure support and information is provided prior to admission. Additionally, when required the Registered Mental Health Nurse and GP can support both the individual and the referrer with any health-related enquiries or support.
Prior to admission, we will work with the individual and their community worker to assess an individual’s needs, risks, and expectations of the service. A comprehensive assessment and risk assessment and management plan (RAMP) will also be completed to include information about risk to self and others.
In Rae House we offer a medically monitored detox. This type of detox can be provided in non-acute medical settings such as residential rehabilitation services and is most appropriate for individuals with lower levels of dependence and without a range of associated medical and psychiatric problems. Phoenix Futures do not directly deliver detoxification services but contract services out to appropriately qualified and experienced reputable clinical providers. Rae House has a contract in place with a GP and provides a medically monitored detox where required.
Rae House has a dedicated Sustainable Recovery Worker who will support residents with moving on from the service and with the discharge planning process. This worker offers longer term support on completion of treatment to maximise sustained recovery.
The service has excellent links with the local communities of Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen. Staff will support residents to link into local support networks and recovery communities, assistance with employability skills, support with accessible housing and working with and making referrals to external services. For those returning back to or relocating to Aberdeen there is access to our Dayhab service which offers a comprehensive, supportive aftercare programme aimed at reinforcing recovery. The service offers a daily structured timetable 6 days a week using the Therapeutic Community Model.
Community members also have the option of moving into Phoenix recovery housing services, returning to their own home, or moving onto alternative accommodation provision. Our aftercare services are here to provide ongoing support during this important transition. At Rae House, we have developed links with other providers and agencies who we will work with to provide individuals with housing and housing-related support. If Community Members wish to make a fresh start after completing treatment, there may be an option to move into Phoenix Futures’ recovery housing service in Aberdeen which provide a safe and supportive environment for those committed to leading abstinent, recovery-orientated lives.
Until March 2026 Rae House is fully funded by the Scottish Government. Prison to Rehab referrals can be accepted and we are currently working on becoming a named service on the Scottish Government’s Prison to Rehab Protocol.
The service is all on the ground floor. Bedrooms are accessible for people with additional mobility needs and feature walk in showers. The service also provides a fully accessible bathroom equipped with a bath and bath hoist.
We can provide support to people with mental health and or physical health needs. Mental health needs are subject to assessment except in following instances:
Physical health needs are subject to assessment except in following instance:
At Phoenix Futures we pride ourselves on providing inclusive services and are committed to ensuring equality of access to treatment, meaning everyone has the same right to our care, treatment and support opportunities. We warmly welcome everyone to join our supportive Therapeutic Community, where our staff are culturally aware and sensitive to diverse needs. People from all walks of life are impacted by drug and alcohol use.
We welcome adults of all ages, ethnicities, gender identities or expressions and sexual orientations, and we seek to be as inclusive as possible to people with disabilities. Should anyone require support to access a place of worship, Phoenix Futures have established links with local faith-based groups and community members often attend a diverse range of venues including churches, mosques and temples.
Dietary considerations will be taken into account and should be explained through the assessment process. Everyone should have the opportunity to state ‘I have specific needs……’ and have these included in their Care Plan.
The service is registered with the Care Inspectorate (CS2025000010) since 10th January 2025. We have not yet been inspected.
Disclaimer: The services listed in this directory are regulated by appropriate governing bodies, such as the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland or the NHS. The National Directory of Residential Rehab Services in Scotland is not responsible for the quality assurance information listed on these pages.