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.

Trauma Therapy

At Smarmore Castle, Ireland, our approach to addiction treatment is trauma-informed. During our biopsychosocial assessments we build up a complete picture of you as a person – your history and past and present life situations. What is Trauma? A study of adolescents receiving treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in the US found that more […]

Grief Counselling & Support

Unresolved Grief At some point in our lives, most of us will experience bereavement and subsequent grief, the natural response to a loss. But grief can be painful, confusing, feel like it will last forever, and even lead to serious long-term health complications such as complicated grief or addiction. Individual experiences of grief vary and […]

Women-Only Addiction Therapy

What is Women-Only Therapy? At Smarmore Castle, women-only therapy, known as women’s group, is specifically tailored to help women with addiction issues. It is a safe space for women to open up about experiences that they may not feel comfortable discussing in a mixed gender group. In this setting, their emotions will be validated, and […]

Smoking Cessation

Quitting smoking at Smarmore Clinic Smoking cessation therapy is a non-compulsory therapy offered to patients who are already at Smarmore Clinic and receiving treatment for addiction to alcohol, drugs or gambling. The start of an inpatient treatment programme is a very good time to quit smoking.  It helps patients to achieve the very best mental […]

Programme Agenda & Timetable

Our structured and intensive daily schedule immerses patients in the recovery programme in a safe and supportive environment and has a clear focus. It has been carefully constructed applying over 30 years’ experience in designing alcohol and drug rehab programmes. We Listen Our agenda is designed to be varied and engaging and is periodically altered based on […]

Exercise and Fitness For Addiction Treatment & Recovery

Whether you’re overcoming addiction to alcohol or drugs, or dealing with other mental health issues exercise can play an important role in your recovery. Incorporating a regular exercise regimen into your routine can help you regain energy and positivity for life in a way that you may not have felt for some time if your […]

Lectures and Workshops

Most people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction don’t know why this has happened to them. We want to educate our patients and inform them that they are suffering from a disease, not a moral disorder. We want to educate our patients. We deliver lectures helping patients at Smarmore Castle to gain awareness of the […]

Therapeutic Community

A Powerful Tool in Recovery The therapeutic community at Smarmore Castle is one of the most important resources available to patients. On entering our programme, the patient joins a community of people going through similar experiences and united by the common desire for recovery. It provides a trusting, safe environment and an excellent source of […]

Medical Assessment

Personalised Treatment Plan Our patients’ physical and mental state is initially assessed by our medical staff members who will assess detoxification and prescription needs and begin to shape the personalised treatment plan.  Our doctors and nurses monitor patients throughout treatment. A Full Assessment Each patient receives a detailed assessment by our consultant psychiatrist covering the following […]

Painkiller Addiction

Prescription Painkiller Addiction & Treatment Prescription painkillers addiction is a type of substance use disorder that develops as a result of using prescription painkillers in a manner that is different from how they are prescribed. Prescription painkillers, or opioids, are medications typically used to manage moderate to severe pain. Painkillers can be highly addictive and […]

Ecstasy (MDMA) Addiction

Ecstasy is a psychoactive, stimulant drug which replicates some of the effects of amphetamines. It can be found in both pill or powder form, and is generally snorted or swallowed. Ecstasy is usually taken as a party drug, due to its effects of decreasing inhibitions, and producing feelings of euphoria, energy, and warmth towards others. […]

Help for Sex Addiction

Help for a Sex Addiction Sexual compulsivity is a behavioural addiction characterised by the compulsive need to engage in sexual activities and view pornography to a degree that has a significantly negative impact on their life. Sex addiction can lead to relationship problems, friendship problems, difficulties at work, substance misuse, depression and sometimes suicide.  Behavioural […]