Victoria McCann BA, MSc

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.

LGBTQ & Addiction: Causes, Resources & Treatment

LGBTQ Addiction & Recovery Ireland Irish studies have shown that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community show higher substance misuse rates compared to the general population. More. Elevated feelings of guilt, shame and doubt are all products of the social stigma, discrimination and humiliating behaviour the LGBTQ community face and battle […]

Internet & social media addiction

What to do about it How to End Social Media Addiction and Protect Your Mental Health With the advent of the social media age, the concept of addiction to online social platforms has become increasingly concerning. Defined as a behavioural addiction, a social media addiction will involve being highly and overly concerned about social media […]

The potency of cannabis

The potency of cannabis and how dangerous it can be for your mental health Our leading addiction experts, therapists and medical staff at Smarmore Castle are issuing a strong warning against the use of cannabis. This warning comes off the back of the latest figures in Ireland showing alarming rates of hospital admission for stronger, […]

Irish Addiction Services see a major increase

Irish Addiction Services see a major increase in demand since Christmas 2020/1 Smarmore Castle is an addiction treatment centre about 45 minutes north of Dublin.  This means we are on the frontline coping with addiction problems here in Ireland. With many of us stuck in our homes since early 2020, life has inevitably become harder. […]

How to Practise Mindfulness at Home

Anyone who stays with us at Smarmore Castle practises mindfulness, helping you develop the skills you need to keep yourself strong and continue into a healthy recovery when you leave treatment with us. If you’ve been with us and are looking for a reminder of this, take a moment to remember being in the meeting […]

Step 1 of the 12-Steps

Smarmore Castle’s treatment is based on the 12 Steps of addiction recovery, which takes people who are suffering with addiction and helps you learn how to beat your addiction. This article provides an overview of Step 1, and it may be helpful for anyone who has already been through 12-Step treatment to return to this […]

A reflection of recovery by a past patient at Smarmore Castle

A former patient at Smarmore Castle sent us this reflection, looking back at their recovery journey, and we hope this helps anyone who is daunted by the prospect of treatment for addiction. You can come through this. Reflection of recovery by a past patient “As I sit here – two and a half years clean […]

Losing a pet and a family member in recovery

Anyone who has lost loved ones or who loves animals may identify with this little segment, written by a former patient at Smarmore Castle. “I have always had a love of animals from a young age, however over the course of my addiction I was lucky to be able to look after my kids and […]

Alcohol and Recovery on St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day is synonymous with alcohol and this can be difficult if you are in early recovery from alcoholism. Even with bars and pubs shut this St Patrick’s Day it is hard to avoid discounts on sales of alcohol in the shops, and news reports say that people will still be meeting in secret […]

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A man wearing a beige jumper talking to a therapist about heroin addiction.

Secret Drinking – How to spot the Signs Of Hidden Alcoholism

Hidden Signs of Alcoholism When someone you love struggles with alcohol addiction, the signs aren’t always visible on the surface. Many individuals with alcohol use disorders become remarkably skilled at concealing their drinking habits, maintaining professional responsibilities, and presenting a facade of normalcy while battling a serious condition behind closed doors. For families who suspect […]

Chest Pains After Drinking Alcohol

Causes, Symptoms and How to Help Picture the scene: it’s the morning after a hefty night before in Dublin’s pubs and clubs. You wake up, and alongside the hazy memories and bloodshot eyes, you also feel an ache in your chest. Does this sound familiar? Perhaps you’ve experienced chest pain after a binge-drinking session with […]