Smarmore Castle is the only private residential clinic of its kind in Ireland. Our treatment programme brings together medical detox, evidence-based therapy, and 12 Step principles — built on the Castle Craig model, which has been treating addiction for more than 30 years.
That depth of experience shapes every aspect of how treatment is delivered here. Programmes are tailored to the individual, medically supervised throughout, and designed to address not just dependencies like alcohol addiction and drug addiction, but the underlying conditions that so frequently accompany it.
Families are supported at every stage, not as an afterthought but as an integral part of the treatment process. All patients receive continuing care for a year after their stay at Smarmore Castle ends.
Located in County Louth, we are easily accessible to patients across Ireland and the UK – close enough to reach without difficulty, and removed enough from daily life to do the work that recovery requires.
Discover more about addiction rehab in Ireland
Private rehab, Ireland: what does treatment involve?
-
Why residential rehab gives you the best chance of recovery
Private residential rehab in Ireland works differently from outpatient care. Residential treatment takes place in a structured, supported environment, away from the pressures and triggers of daily life.
Removing yourself from the environment where addiction developed and taking some time off from your responsibilities means you can focus solely on recovery.
Residential care is one route into recovery among several. But for people with moderate to severe dependence, or who’ve tried outpatient treatment before and found it wasn’t enough, residential care offers a more intensive level of support.
A systematic review of 23 studies found that residential treatment could improve outcomes across substance use, mental health, and other areas of life. The review also found that the strongest programmes go beyond detox; treating mental health and addiction together.
-
Medical detox at Smarmore Castle – safe, supervised withdrawal
Medical detox is the part of treatment people are often most anxious about. At Smarmore Castle, withdrawal is medically managed from the moment you arrive.
On admission, you’re assessed by the nursing team and a resident doctor. A consultant psychiatrist reviews all patient files shortly after arrival. Where medication-assisted withdrawal is clinically indicated, it is prescribed and adjusted day by day. Our team will discuss every aspect of your detox plan with you, and support you throughout the process.
Alcohol detox close to Dublin is something Smarmore Castle provides as part of a fully integrated programme. Effective detox means managing withdrawal safely and moving directly into the treatment that follows. When detox connects directly to ongoing treatment, people are less likely to go through repeated withdrawal.
At Smarmore Castle, the therapeutic programme begins as soon as you’re medically stable.
-
Therapy for alcohol and drug addiction
Our approach to addiction treatment is both personalised and unique.
Each individual is assigned a focal therapist who oversees their full treatment picture. Your focal therapist builds and adapts your individual treatment plan as treatment progresses, with the approach responding to your changing needs.
Individual therapy sessions, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and group therapy run alongside medical care from early in treatment.
Group therapy and just being part of a therapeutic community are an important aspect of how drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Ireland works at Smarmore Castle. Research suggests that it helps reduce substance use and keep people engaged in treatment.
You can read more about our approach to addiction treatment at Smarmore Castle.
-
How long does private rehab in Ireland take?
A typical stay at Smarmore Castle lasts between four and six weeks. The first week involves a full medical and psychological assessment and the creation of an individual treatment plan. This work is covered in the Foundation Programme.
For people who need more time, the Advanced Programme continues beyond six weeks. It goes deeper into relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and 12 Step work. It can be particularly helpful for people with a long history of drug or alcohol use, severe dependence, or a pattern of previous relapses.
Length of stay is determined by clinical need and individual progress. The clinical team discusses a realistic timeline with each patient from the outset.
“The people that you meet when you come through these doors – mainly the members of the community – the people that have gone through all sorts of things in life but are still here standing. The resilience that we see in here is incredible.”
What to expect from private rehab at Smarmore Castle
-
Your first step – a free addiction assessment
Getting in touch with Smarmore Castle doesn’t commit you to anything. The first step is a free assessment, which can be started by phone or online. It’s simply a conversation with a member of our admissions team to help you understand whether Smarmore Castle is the right fit for your situation.
The assessment is completely confidential, and you don’t need to know for sure that you want to begin treatment. Many of the people who call us are still working out whether they’re ready.
-
A programme built on 30 years of addiction treatment experience
Smarmore Castle’s programme is built on the Castle Craig model, developed over more than 30 years of treating alcohol and drug addiction. The clinical approach has been tested and refined across those three decades.
Our treatment team includes consultant psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, and addiction therapists. Smarmore Castle holds ISO 9001 and CHKS accreditation, the same standards applied at Castle Craig.
-
Recovery support that continues after you leave
Leaving Smarmore Castle is the beginning of a different phase of treatment, not the end of support. Staying in treatment longer, and staying connected to continuing care after discharge, tends to lead to better long-term outcomes.
After leaving, patients move into a phase of online continuing care, delivered by partner services. This keeps clinical support in place during the period when the transition back to daily life is hardest.
The family programme also runs through and beyond treatment. Family workshops are available online, included at no extra cost. They give family members the tools to understand addiction as a medical condition and to support recovery without accidentally enabling drinking and drug use. Sessions can help build relationships which have been harmed by addiction, but which can play a major role in recovery.
Download our Brochure
If someone in your life needs private rehab in Ireland
If you’re reading this on behalf of someone you know, you’ve probably been watching a difficult situation develop and wondering when to say something. The decision to look into private rehab clinics in Ireland often comes after you’ve tried voicing your concerns, but watched things stay the same.
Addiction affects everyone connected to the person using. Relationships become strained, and trust can be hard to rebuild once it’s gone. Family members often carry as much distress as the person at the centre of it, and that distress usually goes unaddressed.
Smarmore Castle’s family programme is designed with this in mind. Online workshops help family members understand addiction and learn how to support recovery, without the patient present. Family therapy sessions are also available later in treatment, once the patient is ready to engage with them.
If the person in your life isn’t ready to seek private drug rehab in Ireland yet, our admissions team can still talk you through the options, including advice on a professional intervention. All conversations are 100% confidential. You can also read more about the addictions we treat and our approach to addiction treatment.
Get Help Today
Frequently asked questions about private rehab in Ireland
-
How much does private rehab in Ireland cost?
The cost of private residential rehab at Smarmore Castle depends on the length of stay and the level of care required. It’s not possible to give a single figure because treatment plans are built around individual clinical need.
You can find a full breakdown of how much private rehab in Ireland costs, including what is typically covered and what affects the overall price.
-
Are there private rehab clinics near Dublin?
Smarmore Castle is in County Louth, approximately 50 miles north of Dublin. We are the only private residential clinic providing this level of care in Ireland.
Our admissions team can help arrange transport from Dublin Airport or central Dublin.
-
Can I book a private rehab assessment online?
Yes. The free assessment can be started online or by phone. It’s a confidential conversation with our admissions team, and it doesn’t commit you to anything. If you’d prefer to begin online, there is a form on the admissions page.
-
Can people living in the UK access private rehab in Ireland at Smarmore Castle?
Yes. Smarmore Castle accepts patients from the UK, from the island of Ireland, and internationally. For people in the UK who would prefer to receive treatment in Ireland, perhaps because they have family there or an Irish background, Smarmore Castle is an option.
The admissions team can advise on travel and any practical considerations for patients coming from the UK.