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.

What to Do When the Urge to Drink Returns

Managing Cravings and Urges in Alcohol Recovery For many people in recovery from alcohol addiction, the decision to stop drinking is only the first step. The physical discomfort of withdrawal during detox can be intense, but what often follows is just as challenging: navigating cravings, triggers and emotional ups and downs that emerge during early […]

A man laying in bed covered in a blanked, looking distressed and sick - could symbolise his problems with alcohol misuse and binge drinking.

What Causes a Hangover?

What Causes a Hangover? Symptoms, Science & What to Watch For After a night of heavy drinking, many people wake up feeling miserable, plagued by nausea, fatigue, brain fog, or an unrelenting headache. These symptoms make up what we commonly call a hangover. It’s a physical response that can range from unpleasant to debilitating, and […]

How Long Does Nicotine Withdrawal Usually Last?

The American Author, Mark Twain, once remarked, “It’s easy to quit smoking, I’ve done it hundreds of times.” For those living with nicotine dependence, this sentiment often feels painfully accurate. Nicotine withdrawal involves a combination of physical symptoms and emotional disruption that can make quitting feel nearly impossible without support. But knowing what to expect […]

an animated map of rising fentanyl in dublin ireland showing human figures standing in a circle offering community support

Fentanyl in Dublin, Ireland – An emerging concern in 2026

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has become a major cause of overdose deaths in North America. While Ireland has not experienced the same scale of fentanyl-related fatalities, recent trends suggest it is important to remain vigilant. The emergence of fentanyl in Dublin, Ireland’s illicit drug supply, even in small quantities, poses a significant threat […]

How To Stay Connected To Recovery When You Move Home From Treatment

Completing residential addiction treatment can feel like the beginning of a new life. For many, the distance from home brings clarity, safety and hope. But returning to familiar surroundings – especially where substance use once took root – can feel daunting. Whether you’re moving back to your hometown or simply leaving the protective structure of […]

Supporting a Loved One Through Bereavement Therapy

Bereavement Therapy in Residential Treatment Losing someone close to you can shake your entire sense of self. When grief becomes too painful to manage, it’s common to turn to alcohol or drugs or harmful behaviours to cope. But while these responses may numb pain in the short term, they often deepen emotional suffering and delay […]

Highly Addictive Gambling Machines Becoming a Problem

Gambling Machines and fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), once a major issue in the UK, never gained the same foothold in the Republic of Ireland, largely due to regulatory resistance. Unlike in Britain, where these machines were once ubiquitous in high street bookmakers, Ireland took a firmer stance. Following a 2008 government review that raised serious […]