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.

How to Keep Shame from Ruining Your Recovery

Guilt and shame are major drivers of addiction and relapse. They are difficult emotions to deal with because when you feel shame or guilt, you face a dilemma: you can either try to run from it, often by using, or you beat yourself up with it. Shame and guilt are hard to let go of […]

How Goals Can Help Your Recovery

Setting goals can be an important tool for recovery. Setting realistic, concrete goals increases accountability and gives you a sense of purpose. Whether you’re already in recovery, or still thinking about it, setting goals for yourself can help you live a better life. First, keep in mind there are really two types of goals. There […]

13 Different Types of Addiction Therapy

When looking into addiction treatment people are often surprised by the multitude of therapy options offered by each treatment center. Professionals in the space have learned that addiction treatment cannot be approached in a generalized way. Many different therapies ensures that individual patients receive individualized treatments. Having a variety of evidence-based therapy options means that […]

FAQ on Amphetamines

Amphetamine addiction can cause very serious health side effects for brain and body. Commonly prescribed as prescriptions and commonly abused as illegal drugs, amphetamine abuse can hide under the radar. If you are concerned about amphetamine abuse for yourself or for another, please read this information and contact us today. More information on our addiction […]

Music Therapy

Music therapy is an artistic form of therapy that uses music to improve and keep your psychological, physical, and social well-being. There are many ways to incorporate music into therapy such as singing, listening to music, or playing a musical instrument. This mode of therapy is used in rehabs, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, schools, […]

What You Did Not Know About Alcoholism

Alcoholism Facts Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease. In Ireland and all throughout Europe, there is an ongoing problem of alcoholism. One of the best ways to be armed against alcoholism in yourself or another is through information. There are three stages of alcoholism. The first stage is drinking socially to help […]

Complex PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a disorder of having trouble recovering from a traumatic event. Complex PTSD is for long-term traumatic events such as being held captive, being in a concentration camp, long-term domestic abuse, prisoner of war camps, and long-term sexual abuse. It is important for those with Complex PTSD to seek treatment to recover […]

Medications to Avoid When in Recovery

It can be very hard when you have a cold or a cough during recovery because it can be hard to tell which medications to avoid and which to take. There are plenty of prescription and over-the-counter medications that contain mood-altering chemicals as well as alcohol. It is important to be careful and consult with […]

How to Strengthen Your Immune System in Winter

The cold is most common during the winter. According to Irish Health, the cold infects our upper airways and most people will catch the cold two or four times a year. Here are some ideas to how to strengthen your immune system during these cold months. More information on our addiction treatment Alcohol Drugs Gambling […]

What You Are Responsible For in Recovery

Taking responsibility is being accountable for your actions legally, morally, and mentally. When active addicts are confronted about their addiction, they can be known to make up a string of excuses for why they cannot stop instead of taking responsibilities for the negative consequences that come. Taking responsibility means that you are capable of making […]

The Power of Vulnerability

Being vulnerable is often seen as being easily hurt physically or emotionally. Vulnerability can mean exposing yourself to risk, however, being vulnerable does not guarantee that you will be hurt. This is the greatest misconception which prevents people from opening up to others. Many see the need to ask for help when it comes to […]

How to Handle a Friend’s Relapse

Relapse is common when you first head on the road to recovery. According to Independent, a third of people in Ireland will rebuild their lives after treatment, another third will relapse, and another third will have a difficult time going forward. It is important to take care of yourself when you friend relapses and to […]