Frequently Asked Questions

All patients begin treatment at our Admissions and Detox Centre. Here you will receive a comprehensive health check by our medical team, and a clinical decision is made about the length of detox and care you require.

Castle Craig follows an abstinence based programme, so all patients will need to complete detox as part of their treatment plan. The type of detox required will depend on factors that include:

• The type of substance(s)
• The duration of substance misuse
• The frequency and quantity of substance misuse.

Yes, we have a specialist on-site detox unit that is managed by our dedicated clinical team of doctor’s and nurses. This team is led by our Medical Director, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Peter McCann.

Our Consultant Psychiatrist is an addiction specialist and a full-time member of staff. This ensures the highest level of care for our patients.

Castle Craig has the means to provide the highest level of safety and care for patients undergoing detox. Any patient who requires a detox will receive around-the-clock care and medical supervision throughout the process.

The length of detox depends on a number of factors:

• The type of substance used
• The frequency and amount of alcohol or drug use
• Whether multiple substances are used
• Medical history

Your safety is paramount and all patients receive a thorough medical assessment on arrival which is used to shape the personalised treatment plan.

The ideal length of treatment depends on several factors, the main ones being the severity of your addiction and whether detox is required.

Addiction is complex and it affects individuals in different ways. For this reason, we conduct a free pre-admission assessment to anyone considering coming to Castle Craig. Contact us today to book one.

With all the above in mind, we accept patients for a minimum of 4 weeks – but we observe better outcomes with 6 weeks or longer.

One of the key components to the Castle Craig treatment programme is known as the 12 Steps.  These are a set of guiding principles, that help to tackle addiction and get people into long-term recovery.  They are part of the programme of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and have been tried and tested as an effective recovery tool for over 80 years.

The programme of AA has been described by a famous British addiction psychiatrist as a “repository of astonishing wisdom”, and we believe that everyone can find something very useful from the 12 Step approach.

The concepts of God and prayer are terms which are used in the 12 Steps.  For people who are uncomfortable with these concepts, it should be remembered that the programme is not religious, and God is defined as a “higher power”, and people can identify their own higher power.  AA and NA groups are full of people who profess no religion, and no belief in God.  Members of AA are no more likely to be religious than in the general population.

So we encourage anyone attending Castle Craig to look at the 12 Steps with an open mind, and with an approach to understanding what the programme has to offer.  AA itself says, “take what you need and leave the rest.”

As a necessity of engaging with our treatment we would ask that every patient is willing to look at Steps 1 to 3 of the 12 Steps, which considers the questions of powerlessness over addiction and the acceptance of outside help.   In order to maintain a coherent and therapeutic community, we request that everyone attends in-house 12 Step meetings and book readings in the evenings.

Castle Craig’s programme success rates are independently verified. Our latest survey found that 73.4% of people who completed treatment were abstinent from all drugs or alcohol at a follow-up approximately one year after leaving. You can read more about our success rates here.

At full capacity, we maintain a high patient-to-therapist ratio of 4.5: 1.

Additionally, we have a team of recovery advocates supporting the therapy team, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers on site 24/7 as well as a Consultant Psychiatrist on call at all times.

Yes, we offer women-only group therapy as part of our treatment programme and we have a women-only house on site for those who need it. We understand that some women may feel safer and more comfortable discussing personal issues, especially those related to trauma or domestic abuse, in a group of women.

Castle Craig thoroughly prepares patients before departure and a personalised continuing care plan is developed by your focal therapist in conjunction with the medical and therapeutic team.

Our doctors ensure that your GP, and other relevant professionals already involved in your care, receive discharge communication so that ongoing follow-up can be provided. Before departure, we provide patients with information about their local Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous groups.

When you leave you will have the option to join our Recovery Club.

Our outpatient service CATCH Recovery organises our online continuing care programme that the majority of our patients take part.

There is strong evidence that continued involvement in these groups improves your chances of continuing recovery.

Find out more about our aftercare.

Yes, at Castle Craig, our treatment approach is inclusive and respectful of religious beliefs and practices, making it a suitable option for patients of Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths seeking support in their recovery journey. Castle Craig offers pastoral care as part of its addiction treatment programme. This approach allows clergy members to offer spiritual guidance and emotional support.

We also demonstrate cultural sensitivity as an Islam-informed rehab clinic. Understanding the unique family dynamics, community relationships, and cultural practices of Muslim patients is an important part of our treatment approach. Our clinic accommodates Islamic dietary needs by sourcing Halal food upon request. Additionally, Muslim patients are encouraged to bring their prayer mats for their religious practices during their stay.

Castle Craig offers two 50 minute one-to-one therapy sessions per week. We believe this to be the optimal amount of time needed to address an addiction as well as underlying mental health issues with a therapist while in residential rehab.

Therapy sessions are based around Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other evidence-based therapies prescribed in the individual treatment plan.

In addition to individual therapy sessions patients are engaged in daily group therapy and other therapy and recreational activities.