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.

Two people talking outside in the sunshine sitting on benches that face one another at Smarmore Castle in Ireland

Addiction Treatment for a Loved One

Watching your loved one battling addiction is extremely painful and can leave you feeling helpless, frustrated and fearful. However, being in active addiction is also overwhelming and exhausting, and to increase the chances of getting someone into treatment, you might want to consider offering a helping hand. Choosing the right rehab is a crucial first […]

Indoor photo of a therapist explaining something to a patient during a session

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug misuse can quickly spiral into addiction, even with medications prescribed by a healthcare professional. If you are dependent on prescription medication or are experiencing unpleasant side effects as a result of prescription drug addiction, our help centre staff are here to offer confidential advice and support. What is Prescription Drug Addiction? Prescription drug […]

Signs You are Misusing Alcohol

What is Considered Alcohol Misuse? Alcohol misuse refers to excessive alcohol use that increases your risk of harm. Drinking habits include consuming too much alcohol over the week and binge drinking – alcohol consumption of more than 8 units for men or 6 units for women in a single drinking episode. Regularly drinking too much […]

smarmore castle alcohol and drug rehab clinic in the sunlight

Experience Smarmore Castle – Addiction Rehab in Ireland

A Place to Recover, Reconnect and Rebuild Whether you’ve found this page looking for help for yourself or for someone you love, you’re in the right place. We know the decision to seek help isn’t easy, but at Smarmore Castle, you’ll find a safe and supportive environment, expert care, and people who genuinely want to […]

A group of people pose together for a photo, some wearing red and white santa claus hats

Christmas in Rehab 2025

It’s the “most wonderful time of the year,” or so the familiar tune goes. Unfortunately, this doesn’t ring true for everyone, especially if you’re suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. In fact, the holiday season can be extra stressful for many people, even those without substance misuse issues. If you’re in active addiction, the Christmas […]

Can Alcoholics Drink Casually?

The terms ‘Alcoholism’ and ‘alcoholic’ are outdated and not used in professional circles. The term ‘Alcohol Use Disorder’ is the correct term used among substance misuse professionals, but for the purposes of our audience and their familiarity with the term, we have referred to the term ‘alcoholic’ in this article. For many suffering from alcohol […]

Photograph taken from above of a woman working from home with alcohol addiction, holding her head in her hands as she sits in front of a laptop with a diary, a journal, and a phone all around her

Working from Home and Alcohol Addiction

Remote Working – A Ticking Time Bomb for Addiction The Royal College of Physicians recently reported that around 8 million people in the UK have been drinking up to 50 units a week since the start of the pandemic in January 2020. Occupational Health specialist Dr Mike McCann, a Director at Castle Craig Hospital highlights […]

Man sitting in chair with book open in his hands as he stares out the window thinking about addiction

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

If you or someone close to you is grappling with heroin addiction, it’s crucial to understand the challenges that come with withdrawal. It’s a tough road to navigate and can be physically and emotionally draining. But remember, while it may seem overwhelming at first, recognizing the signs of withdrawal is actually your first step towards […]

Can You Overdose on Cannabis? Understand the Dangers

While fatal overdoses are extraordinarily rare, they aren’t impossible. More commonly though, people experience distressing symptoms due to consuming too much weed – something akin to an ‘overdose’. This article will help you recognise the signs of such an episode and give tips on how to prevent it. Can You Overdose on Weed? It’s crucial […]

Understanding Medications for Alcohol Withdrawal: A Comprehensive Overview

Alcohol Dependence and Detox Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Historically, the recognition of alcoholism as a medical condition, especially for those with a chronic history of alcohol dependency, at first led to a search for pharmacological treatment that would mitigate detox and unpleasant symptoms and later expanded to treating patients seeking long-term sobriety and relapse prevention. Alcohol […]

Man in a therapy session holds his head in his hands while a therapist talks to him

King Baby Syndrome And Addiction

“King Baby Syndrome” refers to a behavioural pattern often associated with addiction and can significantly impact personal relationships, work life, and overall well-being. This syndrome is characterised by a form of narcissism where individuals are self-focused, have high expectations of others, and find criticism or failure challenging to deal with. They tend to be in […]

Three friends on phones outside laughing and talking

Six Ways Your Social Group Can Affect Your Recovery from Addiction

How Our Social Circles Affect Us Our social circles have a powerful impact on shaping our sense of identity, the life choices we make, and our attitudes and behaviour. That is how a tribe survives and we are naturally tribal creatures. There have been many studies confirming that social interaction is critical for good mental […]