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.

Alcohol and Pregnancy: Risks, Alcoholism, Treatment

To drink or not to drink while pregnant is a subject that has long been debated and one surrounded by much controversy. Due to stigma and fear of shame, many women are reluctant to even ask the question. Others see no problem in taking an occasional drink. Unclear guidelines and mixed information don’t help people […]

How Summer Can Benefit Addiction Recovery: 7 Tips for Summer

The sun is shining, the temperatures are rising, and the days are longer. You know what that means – summer is officially here! While some may argue that summer can pose challenges to those in addiction recovery, with boozy BBQs, late pub evenings and cheeky cocktail picnics common, that doesn’t have to be the case. […]

The Dangers of Nitrous Oxide: No Laughing Matter

Surely at some point you’ve spotted small bullet-like metallic canisters littered around the street. If you’re wondering what they are, you may be surprised to know they’re nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is currently legal to possess in Ireland, but not legal to sell for human consumption. For some time now, […]

How Long Does Cocaine Stay in Your System?

How long does cocaine stay in your system? A single line of cocaine can stay in your system and show up on a drug test five days later. However, if you’re a long-term and heavy user, traces of the drug can be found many months or even years after complete cessation. Sometimes up to 90 […]

Sleeping Pill Addiction

Sleeping pills are so widely used these days that we may not think twice when we see someone taking them. There is a dizzying range of sleeping pills available, from herbal supplements to OTC medications to prescription pills – and not all of them are as harmless as one would think. Some sleeping pills can […]

The Cycle of Addiction

It’s Friday night and you’re bored. You’re brainstorming things to do and recall how much fun that party last week was, despite the wicked hangover afterwards. So, you decide to call your friends and invite them to the bar. Unfortunately, they’re busy and you’re disappointed. Due to lack of other options, you go on your […]

A Tribute To A Dear Friend & Colleague…

Our colleague and friend Billy Anderson tragically lost his life yesterday in a car accident. He will be sorely missed by everyone here at Smarmore Castle. Words from our team: “Everyone loved Billy. Kind, loving, compassionate, funny, generous, and energetic are just some of the words uttered this morning by his peers to describe him.” […]

Picture of two women talking in addiction treatment at Smarmore Castle Private Rehab Clinic in Ireland

How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?

How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System? Blood, Breath, Hair, Urine The process of alcohol metabolism is a complex one. There is no straightforward answer to how long alcohol stays in your system. As a guideline, you may have heard that a person processes about 1 unit of alcohol per hour. For a guesstimate, […]

How to Deal With an Alcoholic Parent

Dealing with an alcoholic family member is always a challenge, but it is even more so when that person is a parent. The issues of having a mother or father with alcoholism are way more far-reaching than one would think. If you’re still underage and living with your parents, you could perhaps ignore the problem […]

Do you Suffer From Depression After Giving up Alcohol?

Does Giving up Alcohol Make You Depressed? Depression and alcohol misuse are interconnected in many ways. For some, depression causes alcoholism; for others, it comes from drinking. And for some people, depression hits after giving up alcohol. You might be asking then, what’s the point of becoming sober if you’re only going to feel worse? […]

What are the Emotional Effects of Alcohol?

Many of us drink to feel happy or relaxed or to mask or avoid our feelings. Alcohol is a powerful drug that initially can seem like a one-stop solution to any situation. It can even act beneficially if used responsibly. However, when a person starts to abuse alcohol, the emotional effects it produces can turn […]

Differences Between Binge Drinking and Alcoholism

Binge Drinking Vs Alcoholism Many of us have engaged in heavy drinking or know someone who enjoys an occasional binge-drinking session with their friends. There are many categories of alcohol use, ranging from light/moderate drinking to alcohol dependencies. While binge drinking can be a sign of alcoholism, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has […]