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Ready To Take The Next Step?
Deciding to begin the admissions process for residential addiction treatment is a big step, and a brave one, too. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even hopeful and ready for change. Whatever your situation, our team are here to make our admissions process as straightforward, stress-free, and supportive as possible.
As a CHKS registered and ISO 9001:2015 accredited addiction treatment facility, we can assure you of a professional and friendly service from the very first time you make contact with us.
Speak to Us Now
Call our friendly admissions team on +353 41 986 5080 or submit an enquiry. Our admissions phone lines are open 9 am-5 pm weekdays. If you’d prefer to speak to a member of our admissions team, we can arrange a call back at a later date that suits you.
Admissions Criteria at Smarmore Castle
You can refer yourself by contacting us directly, or a referral can be made by a GP, psychiatrist, family member, or other healthcare professional. We are able to accept admissions for:
We provide medically-managed detoxification from alcohol and drugs.
Adults experiencing addiction to alcohol, drugs or behavioural addictions such as gambling, and those suffering from addiction with co-occurring mental health conditions.
How Can I Cover the Costs of My Treatment?
You pay for your rehab treatment in a variety of ways at Smarmore Castle.
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Private Pay
Many people choose to pay for treatment privately.
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Insurance
We accept insurance funding through the VHI, Bupa Global, Geo Blue, Henner, United Healthcare and a number of other insurers.
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HSE
The Irish HSE covers a number of patient admissions at Smarmore Castle each year. Call us with your HSE funding code to process the admission.
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International Insurers
If you are in the US military, then rehab treatment can be covered via Tricare. If you are from the Netherlands, you may be covered by some Dutch medical insurers.
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Employers
Some employers have schemes in place to cover rehab costs for their employees. Smarmore Castle partners with VHI Healthcare, TriCare, Henner, Geo Blue, United Healthcare Global, Prison Officers Medical Aid Society, and St Paul’s Garda Medical Aid Society. Talk to your employer about funding options.
Referrals from Medical Professionals
If you are a healthcare practitioner, you can contact us to refer a patient to the Smarmore Castle addiction treatment programme. We accept referrals from psychiatrists, doctors, psychotherapists, interventionists, other healthcare professionals and other addiction rehab centres. Contact our admissions team, and they will be happy to advise on the referral and admissions process.
Keith is Clinic Manager for Smarmore Castle and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the therapy team and operations.
Before joining Smarmore Castle, Keith worked as a private psychotherapist and has four years of solid experience as the manager of another Irish treatment centre. He also has two decades of hospitality experience plus 20 years of his own recovery, as well as a firm belief in the 12-step model.
On top of this, he is a doctoral candidate in psychotherapy, at Dublin University. On joining Smarmore Castle, he said:
“I’m very excited to be appointed the clinic manager of Smarmore Castle Private Clinic. I have always been impressed by the multidisciplinary approach offered at Smarmore Castle and look forward to working with the very professional and dedicated team, who work tirelessly to provide quality care to all patients”.
Dr Orlagh McCambridge, MB BCh BAO, DMH, MSc, MRCPsych, is the Medical Director of Smarmore Castle Private Clinic. She is a Consultant Psychiatrist, specialising in addictions.
Dr McCambridge previously worked as a Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist in addiction and mental health services in the NHS in Northern Ireland.
She completed her undergraduate medical degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Master’s in Clinical Education (Distinction) at Queen’s University Belfast. She completed her foundation, core, and higher psychiatry training programmes in Northern Ireland.
She is on the Irish Medical Council’s Specialist Register for Psychiatry and is on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register for General Psychiatry (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) with a licence to practise in the United Kingdom also.
Frances possesses a keen awareness of the repercussions of recovery, especially within familial contexts, and always considered securing a modest role within this sector. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Frances to explore opportunities beyond the realm of tourism, leading her to join Smarmore as the Admissions Officer in 2022.
Frances comes to Smarmore with a professional background in Tourism Management spanning over two decades, during which she led both national and international projects. Her efforts in this domain were acknowledged with several tourism innovation awards. Having returned to education as an adult, Frances pursued her studies through Open University, successfully attaining a Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
As a mother of four children, Frances draws parallels between the experience of motherhood and her responsibilities at Smarmore. She perceives both roles as equally privileged, challenging, and rewarding.
Frances spends her spare time camping throughout Germany in her campervan, called ‘Elvis’.
Ciara Kirk is originally from Dundalk Co Louth where she grew up and was educated at St Vincent’s Secondary School and Dundalk Regional College, now DKIT. For the past number of years, Ciara has lived in Knockbridge Co. Louth with her husband where they have raised their 3 children. Ciara joined the Smarmore Team in July 2017 as Admissions Assistant.
Ciara has over 12 years of experience in the field of addiction and recovery. In 2011 she did a training course in group facilitation and has worked with recovery groups on a voluntary basis for the last eight years.
She is passionate about recovery and has a great understanding of how the 12-Step programme can work. Ciara enjoys swimming, Pilates, travelling to Europe, eating out, and catching time with her 2 daughters, son, and husband.
Fast, Private Admissions to Rehab
We provide a fast, confidential admissions process for patients travelling from across Ireland, the UK, Europe and abroad, avoiding long waiting lists in favour of immediate access to addiction treatment. If you have a clinical need, we can admit you within 24–48 hours.
Download our Brochure
The Rehab Admissions Process at Smarmore Castle
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Arrival at Smarmore and Orientation
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by our admissions team and nursing staff, who will begin the assessment process to determine your detoxification and medical needs. After this assessment, you will begin your orientation around Smarmore Castle, which includes a welcome pack with a detailed programme timetable, guidelines and procedures, details of visiting times and some written assessments. During orientation, one of our senior therapists will take you through this information, explain the treatment process and address any queries you may have, settling you into your treatment and introducing you to our recovery community.
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Initial Contact
Call us, fill out our online form, or ask your doctor or healthcare professional to refer you.
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Pre-Admission Assessment
You will have a pre-admission assessment with our admissions team here to find out all relevant information about your individual needs, situation, any health issues or pre-existing mental health conditions, and assess which treatment programme will be best for you.
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Medical Records Review
We may ask for a GP summary or recent blood tests. If you don’t have them, we can help arrange them.
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Arranging Admission
Once approved, you’ll be offered an admission date, which can be as fast as 24-48 hours after your assessment. We can help you over the phone with any questions you might have about getting to Smarmore Castle and back from your location. We can also provide a sober transport service for patients travelling from Dublin or Belfast at an additional cost.
Contact Us
Start your recovery journey with Smarmore Castle.
How can I get rehab funding via the HSE?
We are contracted by the HSE to provide funded treatment episodes, ensuring that financial constraints don’t block your access to high‑quality addiction and mental health treatment. To explore this funding route, you’ll need to apply through HSE, providing some documentation, such as details of your addiction, financial circumstances, and proof of residence. Once your funding is secured, our admissions team will secure your place at Smarmore Castle.
Our admissions team will help you understand your options and support you with arrangements. Speak to a member of the team today: +353 41 986 5080.
Tax Relief
Self-funded clients from the Republic of Ireland may qualify to claim tax relief on the cost of their health expenses. These can be their private health expenses, those of a family member or any individual’s, as long as they were paid for by the applicant claiming relief.
For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Sober Transportation Services – Safe and Supportive Travel to Smarmore Castle
We understand that travelling to and from treatment can create additional anxiety during an already challenging time. To address this concern, we can offer specialised transportation services designed to ensure your journey is as comfortable and secure as possible.
Our transport service, paid for at an additional cost, covers all of Ireland and can arrange pickup from any domestic location or international airport for those arriving from abroad.
Our driver focuses on creating a reassuring, supportive environment throughout your journey while also being knowledgeable enough to address initial questions about your upcoming treatment experience.
This transportation service reflects Smarmore Castle’s comprehensive commitment to removing barriers and ensuring every aspect of your treatment journey begins on a positive, stress-free foundation.
What to Bring With You To Residential Rehab
Once your admission is confirmed, we’ll send you a full packing list. In general, we recommend:
- Personal items that support your recovery (journal, photos, etc.)
- Comfortable clothing for 2–3 weeks
- Toiletries to last the duration of your stay
- Prescription medications (if any)
- Medical records or relevant documents
What Our Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
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How quickly can I be admitted into rehab?
You can usually be admitted into rehab within 24–48 hours, depending on clinical need and availability.
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Does Smarmore Castle have any exclusion criteria?
There are some conditions that we are unable to treat, such as severe eating disorders and psychosis. We are also unable to treat some individuals with histories of violent crime. Following a screening call, we will be able to advise you further.
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Do I need a referral to get into rehab at Smarmore Castle?
No, you can self-refer. We also accept referrals from GPs and other professionals.
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Do you accept private insurance?
Yes. We work with many Irish insurers. Speak to your insurance company to find out whether you are covered for treatment with us.
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Can I visit before being admitted?
At Smarmore Castle, we do not allow visits as we honour the therapeutic environment and uphold the safety and privacy of the patients currently in treatment.
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What are your opening hours?
Our admissions line is open 9am – 5pm on weekdays. However, Smarmore Castle is open 365 days a year.
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Will I have a private room?
At Smarmore Castle, we have a range of private and shared rooms available to accommodate a variety of needs and circumstances. The majority of our rooms offer shared accommodation. We do offer private rooms; however, you should discuss the availability of a private room with our admissions team before securing your place.
