Victoria McCann BA, MSc

Communications Director & Editorial Lead

Victoria McCann, BA, MSc, is Communications Director & Editorial Lead at Castle Craig and a member of the clinic’s founding family. With over a decade of experience in addiction treatment communications, she leads the creation of clear, compassionate content that supports patients, families, and healthcare professionals. Victoria is committed to reducing stigma around addiction and mental health, and brings strategic insight and lived sector knowledge to her work. She regularly attends and organises addiction treatment conferences across the UK and Europe, promoting high standards of care and best practice in the field. Victoria also works with the media to raise awareness and share informed perspectives on addiction and recovery. The Herald, The Times, BBC, STV, The Times, New York Post, The Guardian.

Is Your Partner’s Porn Addiction Ruining Your Life?

Porn Addiction Nearly Ruined My Marriage – Don’t Let it Happen to Yours Please read my story if you don’t believe that porn is a real addiction. My husband’s fix was online porn and acting out – over the years, it destroyed me, him, and our family. In the beginning, I fell into the notion […]

Understanding The Pain of Alcohol Induced Panic Attacks

Alcohol and Anxiety: Panic Attacks After or During Drinking Are you suffering from alcohol-induced panic attacks? Consuming alcohol can trigger panic attacks, while others experience extreme nervousness after drinking. However, regular panic attacks induced by alcohol are a serious matter that can lead to addiction. If you start drinking and cannot always stop or predict […]

Do I Have a Problem With Alcohol?: Quiz

Do I Have a Problem With Alcohol? Alcohol Self-Assessment Test Are you concerned that you might be drinking too much alcohol? Have you asked yourself “am I an alcoholic?” This self-evaluation for an alcohol use disorder will screen you for symptoms of alcohol addiction. The below self-assessment questionnaire screens for dangerous or harmful alcohol consumption, […]

The Painkiller Drug Crisis in Ireland

Tackling rural drug addiction: ‘People are buying boxes and boxes of codeine-based drugs’ As drug addiction experts in County Louth, we know all too well that the prescription drug crisis across Ireland is consistently getting worse. Smarmore Castle is a rehab facility an hour’s drive from Dublin, which has treated over 1,500 reclaim their lives […]

Real Life Stories

Finally making the decision to enter treatment might feel daunting, and it’s perfectly normal to be nervous and overwhelmed at first. Hearing other people’s experiences can help put your mind at ease, and offer you the reassurance you need, as you begin your journey to a life free from addiction. Below are some inspiring real-life […]

Alcohol Addiction Services ‘Woefully Inadequate’

Alcohol Addiction Services: Ireland’s Alcohol Problem Needs More Free Resources & Funding As a rehab facility in Ireland, we know all too well about the lack of quality alcohol addiction resources and services available in the country. That’s one of the primary reasons that we opened Smarmore Castle in 2015 in County Louth. After seeing […]

List of Resources for Alcohol Misuse in Northern Ireland and Ireland

Alcohol Misuse in Northern Ireland: Charities, Rehabs & Free Help “Smarmore Castle in County Louth is one of Ireland’s best alcohol and drug rehab clinics offering tonnes of addiction support. Over a thousand people have entered our drug and alcohol addiction facility, many of which have gone on to achieve lifelong sobriety and abstinence.” If […]

Step Two – How to Start a Spiritual Journey

By Therapist Aisling Farrell Step 2 – How to Start a Spiritual Journey: Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity Working Step Two is the beginning of a spiritual journey and helps in the belief that it is possible to let go of obsession and insanity and live […]

Finding the Right Consultant Psychiatrists in Ireland for Addiction

Addiction is often seen as a symptom of underlying emotional, psychological and relationship problems As addiction psychiatrists in Ireland and experts, we understand how alcohol and drug addiction go hand in hand with co-occurring disorders like depression, trauma and anxiety, which might be fuelling your substance dependency. Which Doctor is Best for Treating Addiction? A […]

The Irish Rehabilitation Centre That Offers the Most Patient Facilities and Services

Irish Rehabilitation Centre: Smarmore Castle Smarmore Castle is the third rehabilitation centre opened by Peter and Dr. Margaret McCann that has been designed to help people recover successfully from drug, alcohol, and behavioural addictions. We define addiction as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterised by compulsive acting out, substance abuse, or drinking. Untreated alcoholism or drug […]

A therapist making notes on her clipboard whilst a patient on the sofa opposite discusses her worries regarding cocaine addiction.

The Truth About Alcoholism Rates in Ireland

Alcohol misuse remains a major public health concern in Ireland. Despite recent efforts to reduce harmful drinking, alcoholism rates in Ireland continue to be amongst the highest in Europe. Almost four in ten people engage in heavy drinking at least once a month, and more than one in five do so weekly. Younger adults and […]

Smarmore Castle works with major insurers

How to Access Rehab with Health Insurance

Medical and Health Insurance Cover at Smarmore Castle Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing, and you are not alone. If you or someone you care about needs help, health insurance may be the answer to help ease your path into treatment. Smarmore Castle Private Clinic works with a wide range of Irish […]