World-Leading Addiction Specialists
A World-Leading Addiction Treatment Centre
Since 1988, Castle Craig has pioneered addiction treatment for those suffering from addictions to alcohol and drugs, many of whom have other complex conditions, such as gambling and gaming addiction, depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, relationship issues, and eating disorders.
Our Story
How do we get people whose lives and families have been damaged by addiction to alcohol and drugs on the road to recovery? It starts with our unwavering mission to help those whose lives have been destroyed by addiction.
Addiction Treatment in the early 1980s
When Castle Craig was founded in 1988, Peter and Dr Margaret Ann McCann arrived in Scotland with a vision and a passion for helping those suffering from addiction. They had taken a leap of faith, leaving behind Clouds House in Wiltshire and bringing their young family north to Scotland to launch the first 12 Step rehab clinic Scotland had seen. In the late 1980s, this was truly groundbreaking. At the time, Scotland had no residential rehab clinics, and it was a relatively new phenomenon in the UK.
Learning from Experts in the USA
Peter McCann had spent time in Hazelden in the United States, learning from their successful treatment programme in order to bring it over to the UK. Following the success of Clouds House, which they founded in 1983, they knew that this was what Scotland needed.
The 1990s
Peter and Margaret Ann worked closely together from the very beginning, with Peter trailblazing the voice of recovery in Britain among politicians, the media and healthcare experts, and Margaret Ann leading the medical care and therapy program within the hospital.
They led with a forward-thinking approach to the problem of alcohol addiction, their approach was built on the 12 Step principles and practices, an intensive and varied programme of psychotherapy and enriching activities, and abiding compassion for the person in their care at Castle Craig.
40 Years On
Today Castle Craig is proud to be a leading European addiction treatment clinic, bringing recovery to the lives of over 10,000 people and their families.
Our Mission Statement
At Castle Craig, we provide compassionate care to those suffering from alcoholism and other addictions, by treating the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the disease.
Our Hospital and its staff are committed to offering skilled professional medical, nursing and therapeutic services to patients and their families.
We strive continually to demonstrate high standards of excellence, in the services we offer, to ensure that patients and their needs are at the centre of what we do and to create an environment where everyone is treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
Our staff are dedicated to assisting those who seek our help to achieve stable abstinence, empowering them, so they may enjoy a fulfilling, sober, meaningful and productive life in recovery.
Learn more about the History of Castle Craig
Our Vision
Each person who comes through our doors has the chance to change their lives and make their world a better place, whether it is the patients themselves, their husbands, wives, children, parents, or friends. At Castle Craig, our vision of ‘recovery’ goes beyond helping patients when they are here; we want to help them forge their very best life with the therapeutic tools they need to stay abstinent and live fulfilled lives in recovery.
About Our Addiction Treatment Approach
Castle Craig’s model of recovery is abstinence from alcohol and mood-altering drugs – not substitution of one drug for another.
Experience shows that abstinence-based treatment really works – the 12-step philosophy used by AA and NA has helped millions of people all over the world to recover.
Thousands of people from all over the UK and the world have turned to Castle Craig for quality treatment, extensive services expertly delivered therapies and dedicated family support.
Causes We Support
Castle Craig has supported charities and given back to communities via the Castle Craig Foundation.
Our Locations
Scotland
Castle Craig is owned by the McCann family and was founded as a rehab clinic for the treatment of addictions in 1988. Castle Craig is located in the stunning countryside of the Scottish Borders, just 40 minutes drive from Edinburgh, one hour from Glasgow, and two hours from Newcastle upon Tyne. Our 50 acres of parkland and woods is a relaxed and tranquil environment conducive to healing and recovery.
The Netherlands
In 2000, Castle Craig opened a centre in The Hague, Netherlands, to assist patients from the Netherlands. Since 2008, Castle Craig Nederlands, directed by Frances Beek, has been recognized as an independent outpatient mental health care facility. We have a network of offices around the country and our own team including a Medical Director, consultant psychiatrists, and therapists. Admissions to Castle Craig go via the Admissions Office in the Hague.
Ireland
In 2015, the McCann family opened Smarmore Castle Private Clinic in County Louth, Ireland. Smarmore Castle is a 22-bed rehab clinic and the treatment programme is based on the Castle Craig Model of addiction treatment and boasts a swimming pool with a spa and a fitness gym for the wellness of patients. The origins of the castle date back to the 14th century.
Sweden
In early 2021 Castle Craig launched Stockholms beroendekliniken (addiction clinic) to offer comprehensive outpatient care for people with alcohol and drug addiction in Sweden and Scandinavia. Stockholms addiction clinic provides assessments and continuing care, as well as family therapy, to people with alcohol addiction, drug addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Behind this clinic is an experienced clinical and therapeutic addiction treatment team.
London
CATCH Recovery is an outpatient assessment, therapy, and aftercare service for those with addictions or who are already in recovery. Based in South Kensington, the experienced team offer addiction assessments, outpatient rehab therapy, online therapy, online aftercare and family groups. Part of the Castle Health Group.