Castle Craig Hospital

The Basics

Founded in 1988 by Peter and Dr. Margaret McCann in West Linton, south of Edinburgh in Scotland, Castle Craig Hospital provides detox and residential treatment for men and women suffering from chemical dependency. Most recently, the McCanns, along with their son, Dominic McCann, founded Smarmore Castle, Castle Craig’s sister facility, in Ireland. A holistic approach towards treatment is utilized. Additionally, clients with co-occurring and eating disorders, as well as those with gambling addictions are provided with comprehensive care.

Accommodations and Food

The castle, which was built over 200 years ago, sits on acres of lush greenery, which includes trees and landscaped gardens. Castle Craig Hospital is coed and has a total of 120 beds on the entire campus. There are 44 beds inside the castle, and 70 beds in the adjacent extended care area. Inside the castle, clients are paired or share triple-occupancy gender-specific rooms, which include twin beds, dressers, closets and adjoining bathrooms. Private rooms are also available. The common area includes red vintage armchairs, and matching red walls with wood trim. There are antique coffee tables and oriental rugs. Ornate curtains cover large windows. The extended care area includes cottages, and a separate dining room.

Clients are served three healthy meals a day, along with nutritious snacks. All of the food is fresh, and prepared in house. The continental breakfast includes fresh fruit, eggs, porridge and oatcakes. During the first six weeks, coffee is restricted, but decaf and tea are served. Lunch and dinner includes an extensive salad bar that has cold meats, fish, fresh leafy greens and veggies. Favorite dinner entrees include fish and chips (served on Fridays), shepherd’s pie and stir fry.

Treatment and Staff

Prior to treatment, clients undergo comprehensive assessments, and receive individualized treatment plans. Upon arrival cell phones and laptops are checked in. Clients have limited phone privileges, and access to house computers. Detox is provided. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including Suboxone and Librium, is available, but only used when necessary, as Castle Craig utilizes the Minnesota Model which aims for an abstinence-based approach. Length of detox varies, but typically is between four and ten days. Clients are monitored around the clock.

Treatment length is between six and ten weeks. Weekly treatment includes group and individual therapy, psychiatric consultations (if appropriate), workshops, lectures and attendance at 12-step meetings during the evenings. During the first stage of care, there are between four and five clients assigned to a team of ten therapists. Clients participate in three daily groups. Topics include 12 steps, trauma, grief, body image and relapse prevention. There is also a women’s group which deals with gender-specific issues.

At Castle Craig Hospital, evidence-based practices, including CBT and DBT, along with a 12-step recovery protocol, are incorporated during treatment. Dual diagnosis support is provided for clients with co-occurring, as well as those with eating disorders and gambling addictions. There are over 34 members on staff, including highly credentialed therapists, senior therapists, consulting psychiatrists and a post-traumatic stress disorder specialist.

Extras

After six weeks, residents requiring extended care are moved to the cottages. Ongoing treatment includes group and individual therapy. Aftercare is provided in locations in London and in Amsterdam, Holland. Clients can also participate in videoconferencing sessions with therapists.

At Castle Craig Hospital, residents also participate in hyperbaric oxygen therapy inside an oxygen chamber, which looks like a submarine. The chamber accommodates 18 people. Clients breathe in pure oxygen under pressure. Additional alternative therapies include art, drumming and equine therapy. There is also a gym available, as exercise is also an important part of the program.

In Summary

Castle Craig Hospital offers comprehensive and high-end primary care to clients suffering from chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders. Castle Craig Hospital is the largest and most established drug rehab in the United Kingdom, and the hyperbaric oxygen therapy is definitely an added bonus, as that kind of therapy is not typically offered for addiction in the United States. Besides comprehensive treatment and a highly credentialed staff, clients are able to work on a 12-step based program, inside an old storybook-style Castle that is nestled among forests and lush greenery.

Castle Craig Hospital
Blyth Bridge, West Linton
Peeblesshire, Scotland, UK EH46 7DH

Castle Craig Hospital Cost: $ 18,214 (30 days). Reach Castle Craig Hospital by phone at 0808-231-5885 (UK only), +44-1721-788-006 (International) and by email at info@castlecraig.co.uk. Find Castle Craig Hospital at Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Google+

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