Victoria McCann BA, MSc

Victoria McCann BA, MSc

Communications Director and 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 since 2012, 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.

The Five Rules of Recovery and Relapse Prevention

Overcoming an addiction is a long and challenging journey. Patients often believe that the treatment is complete after they have been through detox. It is not quite that simple. Post-rehab treatment is critical. Relapse is possible even years into sobriety. But don’t panic. You are not alone in this fight.  Relapse has multiple stages, and […]

Do Drugs Make You More Creative? Drugs, Alcohol and Creativity

Do drugs make you more creative and boost productivity? People have been arguing about this age-old question for decades. There are convincing anecdotes from both sides, including creative geniuses who cited alcohol and drugs as part of their success, as well as those who eventually ended up addicted.  For those interested in a creative life, […]

Alternatives to 12 Step Programmes for Addiction Therapy

The 12 Step programme, a self-help strategy first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), has been a cornerstone of addiction treatment in many parts of the world for decades. However, it is not the only approach to rehabilitation from addiction. Alternative models have emerged that offer different approaches, aims, and techniques for recovery. In this article, […]

Women and Gambling Addiction: Why Are More Women Gambling?

Women and Gambling Addiction The number of women treated for gambling problems has doubled in recent years, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.1 The increased visibility of women’s sports such as football is certainly a factor and the gambling industry has been quick to target this emerging market. For gamblers between the ages […]

What is Monkey Dust Addiction? Effects and How to Get Help

What is Monkey Dust?  Monkey dust is a synthetic drug — also known as Butylone, M1, magic crystals, bath salts, MDPV, methylone, and pyrovalerone — that is chemically similar to amphetamines, and from a family of drugs known as cathinone, an ingredient derived from the khat plant. Khat has been cultivated in the Horn of […]

Anxiety Medications: How Safe Are They?

Can You Get Over-The-Counter Anxiety Medication in the UK? No, you can’t. If you want anxiety medications, they must be prescribed by a doctor. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, your doctor needs to see if you actually need anti-anxiety medications. Maybe there’s a reason for your anxiety disorder (such as previous […]

Why Is Men’s Mental Health Not Taken Seriously?

Why Is Men’s Mental Health Not Taken Seriously? Good mental health is an essential aspect of a person’s overall well-being and has a significant impact on their daily lives, relationships, and even their physical health. Although mental health issues affect people of both genders, men’s mental health has generally been receiving less attention and support. […]

Fentanyl Crisis in the UK – a Concern or a Crisis?

For some years now the UK and most of Europe have managed to avoid the worst of the crisis in fentanyl use that has escalated in the USA since 2010, causing a huge increase in the number of deaths from overdose. There are signs that this North American public health emergency which when combined with […]

Road to recovery at Castle Craig

Addiction and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Rehab Treatment

Both PTSD and addiction can feel like a heavy burden on a person’s life. We understand how a distressing experience can intertwine with substance misuse, creating a challenging cycle that is hard to break. At Castle Craig, we specialise in residential addiction treatment for this dual diagnosis. Our skilled team provides dedicated support for both […]

OCD and Addiction: How to Understand & Treat Addiction With a Co-occurring Severe OCD

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health issue that causes people to experience obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Generally speaking, it follows a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears, the obsessions part, which leads you to engage with repetitive behaviours, which become your compulsions.  Obsessions: Obsessions are persistent unwanted […]

Chelmsford

Private Drug and Alcohol Rehab Serving Chelmsford and Essex | Castle Craig

Castle Craig is a leading residential drug and alcohol rehab located in the Scottish Borders serving people from across the UK, including Chelmsford. We provide treatment for substance addiction, accessible through private funding, private health insurance, and Chelmsford and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust referrals. This page introduces the services that Castle Craig offers […]