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.

Ketamine Detox and Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment

Ketamine detox is an important step towards recovery and dependence on this powerful dissociative anaesthetic. If you’re considering treatment, know that recovery is possible with the right professional support. At Smarmore Castle, we provide medically supervised detox programmes designed to safely manage your withdrawal in a safe, clinical setting whilst supporting your journey towards lasting […]

Two people have a conversation about alcoholism - specifically epilepsy and alcohol

Living With an Alcoholic Partner: What to Expect and How to Cope

What a Spouse Living With an Alcohol Use Disorder May Experience If you have an alcoholic partner you will feel as though there are three people in the relationship – you, them and the booze. Unfortunately, due to the nature of addiction, and despite their best intentions, your partner will almost always put the drink […]

A woman talking with a doctor who is going through paperwork

Vapes: Side Effects of Vaping

Does Vaping Help You Quit Smoking? Vaping is considered to be one of the best tools to help you quit smoking, and you’re twice as likely to quit using vaping than you would we other nicotine-replacement products such as patches or gum. Not only is vaping less harmful than smoking, but you can control the […]

a man not eating his christmas dinner because he is suffering from cocaine weight loss

Cocaine Weight Loss – Does Cocaine Misuse Cause Weight Loss?

Most people who abuse drugs tend to be thin, but this is especially true with cocaine weight loss. We have all heard stories claiming cocaine misuse results in weight loss, and popular culture often portrays it as an appetite suppressant, but does science back this up? Does cocaine suppress your appetite and lead to weight […]

How Do Drugs Affect Your Eyes: Redness, Dilated & Pinpoint Pupils

Misusing drugs can cause several negative side effects affecting both mental and physical health. One consequence of severe or chronic substance misuse is changes in vision, including pupil size, the colour of the whites and vision function. Over time, substance misuse can result in a number of eye conditions, including permanent vision loss. Different types […]

What is Cocaine Nose?

How Does Cocaine Damage the Nose? It might sound comical but ‘cocaine nose’ or ‘coke nose’ is no laughing matter. It means that the constant snorting of cocaine has caused structural damage to your nose, which is not just unsightly but can affect your ability to breathe properly. When you snort cocaine, blood vessels in […]

Does Alcohol Cause Acne?

Everyone knows that excessive alcohol consumption damages your health. It can take a toll on the skin, even if alcohol is not the direct cause of acne. So, how alcohol affects your body, and how could this impact your skin? Alcohol Can Trigger Acne, But It’s Not the Direct Cause Acne is a skin condition […]

7 Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms in Addiction

Addiction, including alcohol and drug addiction, is a brain disease that impacts various brain functions to do with reward, pleasure, memory, and motivation. It doesn’t just ‘happen’, instead it typically develops over a period of time. If you’re wondering what are the stages of addiction, they can be broadly characterised as initial use, which leads […]

What Are The Stages of Addiction? Understand The Five Stages of Drug Addiction From Experimentation to Full Blown Dependency

What Are The Stages of Addiction While many factors contribute to drug addiction, including genetics, environmental influences, socioeconomic status, and co-occurring mental health conditions, research has made clear five stages in the evolution of the illness of addiction — experimentation, social or regular use, risky use or abuse, addiction and dependency, and relapse. Those who […]

Benzodiazepines Detox: What To Expect

Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a broad class of anxiolytic, sedative, and sleep-inducing medications. They are also effective anticonvulsants and possess muscle-relaxant properties. Benzodiazepines slow down brain and nervous system activity and are the drugs of choice to relieve psychological and physical symptoms associated with anxiety. Additionally, benzodiazepines detox help to treat insomnia, epilepsy, and seizure-related disorders. […]

Three people sitting in armchairs talking in a group therapy session at Smarmore Castle

Is My Dad an Alcoholic?

Maybe you’ve noticed your dad’s behaviour has changed – he’s become moody and grumpy, or perhaps he’s shouting at you and other family members, and this is scaring you. Perhaps you’ve noticed a change in his lifestyle – he’s not getting to work on time, or he’s lost his job, and this has coincided with […]

Medically Managed Alcohol Detox Centre in Ireland

What Is Alcohol Detoxification? Alcohol detoxification is the process of clearing alcohol from the body after sustained use. During this period, your system begins adjusting to the absence of alcohol, which can lead to a range of withdrawal symptoms, both physical and emotional. These may include anxiety, insomnia, nausea or tremors. Alcohol detox, also known […]