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, New York Post, The Guardian.

An anonymous man sitting at a laptop in the dark considering getting help with gambling addiction.

A Guide to Getting Help With Gambling Addiction

If you are struggling with compulsive gambling habits, reaching out for help with gambling addiction can be difficult, but it’s important to see this as a positive and important first step towards recovery In the UK, there are several services available to help you take back control of your gambling, but navigating these options can […]

How Long Does Ketamine Stay in Your System?

If you are wondering how long ketamine is detected in your system after use, it’s important to first understand the factors that determine this. Body mass, water consumption and length of use can influence detection rates in a urine sample or blood test. The biggest question is, has your ketamine use become a problem in […]

What are Legal Highs and Why Are They Dangerous?

You’ve probably heard the term legal highs – substances engineered within legal loopholes to mimic the effects of illicit drugs. These designer substances are a persistent problem for regulators, with new variations continually emerging. Often, each iteration is more potent than the one that came before, as creators and legislators engage in a dangerous game […]

A nurse monitoring a patient's heart rate using a stethoscope whilst discussing the effects of cocaine and alcohol.

Why you shouldn’t mix Diazepam and alcohol

Combining alcohol with prescription drugs is generally ill-advised, but mixing it with diazepam, commonly known as Valium, is particularly dangerous. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine prescribed for anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and other medical conditions, works by calming the brain and nerves. Alcohol, meanwhile, is a depressant. When taken together, they significantly slow your brain activity, leading […]

Tramadol and Alcohol: What You Need to Know

If you’ve been prescribed tramadol for pain relief, you might wonder “can you drink on tramadol”, or whether having a drink would be harmless. Unfortunately, mixing alcohol with a strong opiate like tramadol comes with significant health risks. Tramadol and alcohol both depress the central nervous system. When used together, this combination can significantly impair […]

Two people, a patient and an addiction therapist, talking while walking up a stone path surrounded by trees at Smarmore Castle

Weed Withdrawal Symptoms Explained

Quitting cannabis, also known informally as ‘weed’, is a significant step towards reclaiming your health and well-being, but it isn’t without its challenges. The transition from the pleasant effects of recreational cannabis use to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can be very daunting. You may experience a spectrum of symptoms, from mood swings to sleep disturbances, that […]

VHI Drug and Alcohol Addiction Rehab Insurance Coverage

Smarmore Castle is a private rehab centre in Ireland specialising in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction with confidential and compassionate care. Our beautiful, private location offers a peaceful and therapeutic environment, evidence-based addiction treatment, and tailored treatment programmes for embarking on your addiction recovery journey. Smarmore Castle’s residential facility partners with private healthcare […]

Three people inside sitting on chairs, talking, two women sitting across from a man

HSE Funding for Rehab at Smarmore Castle

At Smarmore Castle, we recognise the financial considerations involved in seeking mental health and addiction treatment. Our commitment is to provide services with accessible funding options to alleviate these concerns. If you’re seeking rehab services in Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) might be able to provide financial support to help cover some of your […]

Admissions via Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions

Funding Rehab Through Private Medical Insurance Funding rehab through private medical insurance offers several benefits. It can alleviate the financial burden of treatment, making high-quality care more accessible. Insurance often covers a range of services, including detox, therapy, and aftercare, ensuring comprehensive treatment. Local HSE services may not cater to the specific treatments you require […]

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

How to Set Realistic Goals During Recovery

Choosing to begin your recovery journey is a commendable and courageous decision, that comes with both challenges and triumphs. Central to this journey is the art of setting realistic goals, a skill that can significantly influence the success and sustainability of recovery. Here we’ll discuss the importance of establishing attainable, measurable, and personally meaningful objectives, […]

Three people talking in a group therapy session for addiction at Smarmore Castle rehab clinic

Addiction Treatment for Veterans

At Smarmore Castle, we recognise the unique challenges faced by veterans trying to overcome addiction. Our dedicated team approaches this sensitive subject with the utmost compassion, understanding that for many veterans, the path to addiction began as a coping mechanism for the profound experiences they have endured. Service in the military often comes with high-stress […]

Mindfulness and Addiction Recovery: Why is it Important?

In recent years, mindfulness has emerged as a transformative tool in helping people with addiction recovery. While the roots of mindfulness stem from long-standing Eastern philosophy and traditions, a growing body of new research demonstrates its true benefits for your mental well-being. People often forget that addiction starts in the mind before it can affect […]