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.

Self-Care Does Not Mean Self-Medication: Coping Strategies for Addiction due to Stress at Work

Demanding jobs are the norm these days. They can be satisfying but are often highly stressful too. Anyone involved with the public, such as police, health or social workers, or teachers, might agree. Stress at work can lead to addiction because we sometimes learn to unwind from stress in inappropriate ways. In this article we shall […]

Understanding the Mind of a Gambling Addict

Much compulsive gambling behaviour is based on unrealistic thinking, to a greater degree than that found in other addictions. We are all conditioned to gambling by life, perhaps unknowingly, but it is how we respond that dictates if we will become addicted or not. At Smarmore Castle, admissions for Gambling Disorders increase yearly. In this article, […]

Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?

There are many misconceptions about drinking while breastfeeding and scientific research on the subject over the years has been limited. For new mothers, it can be difficult to figure out if they can have a drink or should avoid alcohol completely. You can find out the latest HSE health guidance and research on this page. […]

90 Meetings in 90 Days and Their Surprising Benefits

As AA mantras go, this must be one of the most daunting, especially as its advice was often given to newcomers. You can imagine people reacting: “but you just told me to take it a day at a time…” Most certainly it is a big ask for anyone, but successful recovery from addiction is not […]

Can You Drink Alcohol With Ibuprofen. Is It Safe or Dangerous?

Can You Drink Alcohol With Ibuprofen and Alcohol, Is It Safe? Ibuprofen is one of the most widely used anti-inflammatory painkillers available. Its effectiveness in treating mild to moderate pain and fever makes it a go-to for many common ailments. Available without a prescription, it is strong enough to treat everything from fever and menstrual […]

Patient listening intently to a doctor explaining patient symptoms or asking a question as they discuss paperwork together in a consultation

Is It Safe Mixing Antibiotics With Alcohol?

Can You Mix Antibiotics With Alcohol? It’s generally accepted wisdom that you should avoid alcohol mixing antibiotics with alcohol because of potential side effects. While in many cases alcohol doesn’t actually make the antibiotics less effective, it can result in some unpleasant symptoms which, combined with the negative effect of alcohol on the immune system, […]

Using Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism for Denial

Denial as a Powerful Symptom of Alcoholism Chances are you likely have an idea of what coping is – we all have coping mechanisms we automatically use daily. But did you know that denial can keep you alive? Therapists and psychiatrists often talk of denial as if it is something terrible or unnatural. However often […]

10 Things I Don’t Miss About my Alcohol Addiction

Living an Alcohol-Free Life – Why It’s Better than Ever Things I Don’t Miss About My Alcohol Addiction From feeling constantly angry and depressed to being permanently broke, my alcohol addiction caused a series of bad decisions that I will always regret. Only the other day, someone asked me if I missed alcohol. Almost a […]

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Five things I learned about my partner’s struggle with drug addiction

This is an anonymised story of a woman and her husband’s struggle with drug addiction. She shares some of her experiences as she tried to manage his illness, and how they eventually found hope for the future. “When someone you love battles addiction, the weight of it can consume everything, and you will tell yourself […]

At Smarmore Castle we have developed a specialised and effective treatment programme for alcohol addiction.

The Number Heroin Users in Treatment in Ireland Hit Record Numbers

Heroin Users in Ireland Needing Addiction Help Reaches Record Numbers Here at Smarmore Castle, we treat huge numbers of heroin-dependent users every year. Over the last decade, our admissions department has seen substantial increases in heroin-dependent individuals seeking help, support, and recovery. See treating heroin addiction. But it’s not just our specialised addiction team that […]

How our Gambling Treatment Programme Works

More Than 1 in 5 Irish Men Are at Risk of Developing a Gambling Habit

Huge Rise in Gambling over 10 years More Than 1 in 5 Irish Men Are at Risk of Developing a Gambling Habit: For decades, we have seen how addiction to Gambling can tear apart families and destroy lives – however, today, with the normalisation of betting, fifth more young gamblers are at risk of developing […]

Belfast Addiction Services

Types of Belfast Addiction Services We understand addiction like no one else. Whatever your vice is, we know that addiction can often make you feel like you’re all alone, with no one there to listen or understand your story, let alone help guide you to the other side. Everyone suffering from an addiction deserves to […]