Victoria McCann BA, MSc

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 […]

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 […]

Fentanyl is responsible for a drug mortality crisis in North America that has perhaps reshaped how public health systems think about opioid risk. Ireland has not experienced comparable losses – but European public health authorities are monitoring the same patterns that preceded it elsewhere, and the drug is present in Irish supply chains in ways […]

 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 […]

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 […]