Substance use and addiction services – Availability

Concerns about the adequacy of substance use and addiction service provision in the wellbeing services counties

Changes have taken place in the provision of substance use and addiction services following the transition to the wellbeing services counties. New services have been established, but there is also concern within the wellbeing services counties regarding the sufficiency of service provision.
Directors of substance use and addiction services in the wellbeing services counties estimated that the need for these services will increase in the future, due to a rise in related problems and improved accessibility of services.

The data are based on a survey conducted in 2024 among directors responsible for substance use and addiction services in the wellbeing services counties.

Outpatient services mainly provided in-house

Outpatient services for alcohol-related problems, drug-related problems, and gambling-related problems were available in all wellbeing services counties in 2024.
Support for smoking cessation and the use of other nicotine products was available in 19 wellbeing services counties, and support for behavioural addictions in 17 counties.
Services were mainly organised as in-house provision.

Approximately half of the wellbeing services counties provide specialised social services for substance use and addiction work

The survey examined whether the wellbeing services counties provide specialised services within social welfare for substance use and addiction work, such as social work, social counselling, housing services, and social rehabilitation, delivered either on an outpatient or institutional basis. Each of the specified specialised social services was provided in 12–13 wellbeing services counties.

In twelve wellbeing services counties, 4–5 such social welfare services were provided as specialised services for substance use and addiction work. Four wellbeing services counties did not respond to this question.

From the beginning of 2023, it became a statutory responsibility within social welfare to organise, as specialised services for substance use and addiction work, at least social work, social counselling, housing services, and social rehabilitation as needed, either on an outpatient or institutional basis (Social Welfare Act, Section 24a).

These services complement other substance use and addiction work within social welfare and are to be coordinated with healthcare services.

Low-threshold services not available in all wellbeing services counties

In 2024, the availability of low-threshold services targeted at people who use substances was uneven and regionally dispersed.
Health counselling services for people who use drugs were available in all wellbeing services counties. All low-threshold services included in the study were available in four wellbeing services counties.

Sources

• Kuvaja, E et al. (2025) Päihde- ja riippuvuuspalvelut muutoksessa - tuloksia hyvinvointialuekyselystä 2024. Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tutkimuksesta tiiviisti 7/2025. (Julkari) (in Finnish)
• Kuussaari, K ym. (ilmestyy 6.5.2026) Matalan kynnyksen päihde- ja riippuvuuspalvelut. Teoksessa Kuussaari, K & Heiskanen, M & Grundström J & Warpenius K. (toim.) Päihde- ja riippuvuuspalvelujen tila – näkökulmia muuttuvaan järjestelmään. Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos, Raportti 4/2026. (Julkari) (in Finnish) 

Description of the statistics

The data collection examines the state of substance use and addiction services in the wellbeing services counties and changes in these services. It collects information on, among other aspects, the availability of treatment, support, and rehabilitation; low-threshold services; cooperation between different services; as well as accessibility and supervision.

The survey was addressed to directors responsible for substance use and addiction work in the wellbeing services counties in mainland Finland and in Helsinki. Data collection was carried out as an online survey in September–October 2024. The questionnaire was developed in cooperation with the Regional State Administrative Agencies and included both open-ended and multiple-choice questions. Responses were received from all wellbeing services counties.

The survey continues earlier work conducted in 2022 on substance use and addiction services in municipalities in mainland Finland.

Update schedule

The next data collection will be carried out in 2028.