Smarmore Castle

Residential Addiction Treatment Facility

Smarmore Castle is a recovery treatment facility located in County Louth, Ireland. Smamore Castle was founded by Peter and Dr Margaret Ann McCann, the directors of Castle Craig Hospital in Scotland. 

The treatment programme focuses on various addictions, prescription medications abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, and gambling dependence. The medical treatment is supervised by an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist and a compassionate Clinical Psychologist.

The professional staff is dedicated to treating many of the co-occurring disorders that are revealed during a rehab process. Patients with addiction may also suffer from stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, and burn-out. 

Our team of doctors, nurses and therapists make Smarmore Castle a welcoming environment, a place where patients can regain sobriety and learn how to live a happy and meaningful life.

Historical and charming retreat setting

Smarmore Castle is a charming period house located in a historical area. The Castle also incorporates the Tower, which dates from 1320. The facility is surrounded by 15 acres of parkland and woods, offering a relaxed and tranquil environment to support the healing and recovery of all patients.

The main building is three storeys high, with a living area of around 1,829 square meters. Smarmore Castle has eight bedrooms, a kitchen, and four reception areas. Each room of the castle has been named after important historical figures that used to reside in each room back in the old days: The Knights, The Viscounts, The Court , The Blue Room, The Earls, and The Taaffe Room.

The estate is equipped with a large swimming pool, steam room, a sauna, and a spacious gym . This atmosphere helps patients to shift their minds from cravings and focus on recovery.

The property also benefits from new pathways, walkways, and paddocks around the fifteen-acre estate, and newly planted trees.

Smarmore Castle was bought by the directors of Castle Craig Hospital in Scotland, and it was modified to accommodate patients with various addictions during their recovery process. At present, the Castle is a 22-bed residential rehab treatment clinic. 

Close to Dublin International Airport and Belfast International Airport

Smarmore Castle is in Ardee, a town in the Irish Borders, at only a 30-minute drive from Dublin, about 45 minutes north of Dublin International Airport and 1.5 hours south of Belfast International Airport. 

Treatments:

Addiction treatments may help you recognize your unhealthy behavioural patterns, but it can also help you learn to identify triggers and develop healthy coping strategies. Most treatments reinforce patients’ positive behaviour (such as maintaining sobriety) and help them successfully combat relapse.

Contact us

Smarmore
near Ardee,
County Louth
Ireland
A92 YY22
Freephone (UK only): 041 986 5080
International: +353 41 986 5080
Fax: +44 (0)1721 752662

Therapies

One-to-one rehab therapy
Individual therapy encourages patients to share their struggles in complete privacy with a specialist therapist, during a sustained recovery process. Each patient benefits from a tailored programme that allows the medical team to investigate the causes behind addiction. Individual therapy sessions may help patients by changing their thought patterns and destructive behaviours, by maximising insight and building awareness around dependency, and motivating them to achieve and maintain sobriety through long-term abstinence.
Group therapy
Patients work together as a community, using empathy, compassion, and mutual support while witnessing positive changes in other group members. Group therapy addresses some of the following areas for each patient: dealing with shame and guilt; identifying triggers (people and/or behaviours) that could lead to relapse; educating about substance abuse (behaviour and consequences); learning decision-making skills that are essential for maintaining sobriety; and providing patients with knowledge about AA philosophy.
12 step programme
A 12 step programme is a set of universal principles that assists patients suffering from various addictions by providing individual action steps. This is a form of group therapy that includes acceptance of the fact that addiction has various negative consequences on people’s life, that can be socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. This type of therapy begins with this powerful recognition, then moves on to surrender to a higher power, then eventually goes to consistent group meetings that each patient has to attend.
Family Therapy
Family therapy encourages patients and their families to share their emotions and safely express their anger to rebuild damaged relationships. Family and close friends become an essential support network for a patient with substance dependence. With the right support, the patient has higher chances to regain and maintain sobriety. Family therapy guides family members to cope with addiction and other underlying issues. It also supports the entire family to access a happier and healthier life.
Trauma therapy
Patients who experienced childhood abuse, a violent event such as rape, domestic violence, an accident, military combat, terrorism may develop PTSD. Trauma may be a cause of relapse in patients with addiction when left untreated. Some of the PTSD symptoms are nightmares, insomnia, hypervigilance, emotional instability, mood swings and anxiety. During therapy, patients safely release traumatic thoughts and emotions, while learning to manage strong feelings and building the ability to trust again.
Women-Only Therapy Group
During women-only therapy, female patients receive the necessary support to feel that their emotions are validated and that they are not alone in this process. In this safe setting, women are being able to share their experiences in a non-judgmental space, where they feel at ease talking about their feelings and past experiences. They also discover a strong sense of community, and an atmosphere of mutual support and acceptance, while examining their close relationships to identify factors that may have led to developing the addiction.
Specialised Therapies
During rehab, each treatment programme is tailored to fit the patient’s needs, by offering a wide range of therapies that can be effective in recovery. This approach provides a special treatment programme to address various needs of patients with serious substance abuse issues. These therapies can help patients that may not have responded to previous, less intensive recovery efforts, such as quitting on their own or reaching out to those around them to help them cut down the substance consumption.
Experiential Therapies
This approach offers multiple therapeutic methods that use creative activities and self-expression to help patients process traumatic experiences. As an essential part of an effective treatment programme, this therapeutic technique provides patients with a non-judgmental place to explore painful memories and challenging emotions, while making important connections between their thoughts and emotions and learning healthy coping methods.
Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies optimise the overall health of our patients, help them to regain self-esteem, while refraining from consuming addictive substances. The lack of ease that pushes people to reach for something to try to feel better or to move them closer to ease can be treated with these complementary therapies. These therapies make patients feel at ease again without the need to consume the substance of their choice. Through this therapeutic approach, patients in recovery can work out the complex roots of their trauma that drives their addictive behaviour.

What to expect

Creating a customized treatment plan

At Smarmore Clinic, the recovery process starts with certain assessments that help the treatment team to create the right programme for each patient. The assessments may involve a medical examination, a psychological check, and a psychosocial assessment. The rehab experts may also ask questions about other family members with addiction, details about the patient’s substance misuse history, and may talk about the financial options available. After gathering this information, the medical team can tailor the proper care plan for each patient’s treatment needs. Patients with co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis can consult the rehab doctor about additional treatment options. An integrated and holistic treatment programme helps patients better manage the recovery process and maintain sobriety after completing the treatment.

Detoxification and Rehabilitation

The treatment programme starts with substance detoxification and medical care. Patients may attend creative activities when their medical condition permits it. These activities help patients to better express their blocked negative emotions in a safe and compassionate environment. Patients will enter the rehabilitation phase only after completing the detox phase. During rehab, the patient starts attending certain therapies to address the causes that led to substance abuse. Patients may attend various therapies:
  • Personal Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
  • Family Counselling
And other complementary therapies including:
  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
  • Aquatherapy
  • Equine Therapy
  • Mindfulness Meditation
  • Drumming Therapy

Aftercare

Patients who continue to attend these therapy sessions during aftercare can create a solid base for a full recovery and a more fulfilling life. Recovery is an ongoing process. After completing the addiction treatment programme, a rehab doctor will help patients to access an aftercare plan, tailored for their needs. To remain on the path toward sobriety, patients need to continue attending therapy and support groups. Smarmore Castle residential clinic assists patients even after they went back to their daily responsibilities, by offering an aftercare programme that includes counselling, classes, and additional meetings.

Our Team

Smarmore Castle medical and clinical specialists are focusing daily on the recovery process of each patient. Patients reported they feel Smarmore Craig is a relaxing environment, which enhances the healing process. Patients at Smarmore Castle learn healthy coping skills to better manage negative emotions, avoid relapse and live a more positive, happy life. Our team of professionals include:
  • Smarmore Castle Medical Director
  • Consultant Psychiatrists
  • Clinic Manager
  • Certified Addiction Therapists
  • Resident Doctors
  • Nursing Team
  • Other permanent and consulting staff
Contact us today for more info about our staff and our treatment programmes available!

FAQ

How Long Does Rehab Last?

Typical addiction treatment plans last from 30, 45, 60, or 90 days depending on the type of dependency. Depending on the type of programme you choose, you may spend more or less time in rehab.

During the inpatient programme, you stay in the recovery centre for the duration of your treatment, while outpatient programmes allow you to come to the centre only when you are scheduled for therapy and treatment. Inpatient programmes keep patients away from addictive habits allowing healing to take place in a substance-free environment.

Outpatient programmes are more suited for patients who need to take care of their career and home life.

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How Much Does Rehab Cost?

The costs of a rehab programme may vary by the type of treatment centre, and whether you choose an inpatient or outpatient programme. The cost can vary depending on location, length, and type of treatment package included.

Contact our specialists at Castle Health today to learn more info about treatment options and their costs.

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How can I stage an intervention?

Our specialists at Castle Health can help you with intervention services and recommend following these five steps when staging an intervention:

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What Is an Average Day Like in a Rehab Centre?

At our rehab centre, detox is the first step in your recovery process. This could last from one day to two weeks. After you have completed the detox process, you will be able to relax and recover by engaging in creative activities provided by our clinic. Depending on your treatment plan option, you may have a specific routine such as breakfast first, then mindfulness sessions, group or individual therapy, and outdoor activities. All Castle Health programmes will be fitted to the recovery needs of the patient while providing the necessary structure and stability for lasting change.

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What our customers say

Kitty
"Just finished five weeks it's an incredible program with the most qualified staff and if you apply yourself and put the work in it really works. I feel like a new person and I'm starting a new life. I'd highly recommend it. They do amazing work around trauma issues aswell and the care you receive is second to none. It's holistic and practical in its approach and I would say its the leading treatment centre in Ireland. Accomodation is beautiful also."
Jessica
"They have a full medical staff and medical cover is provided 24hrs a day (Can't ask for more). They value their patients and they invite them to return as guests every year for the annual reunion, to attend aftercare meetings and much more. They have a lovely leisure centre with a Gym, Sauna, Steam Room and Swimming pool. All in all, I would say that Smarmore Castle offers something that no other Addiction Treatment Clinic in Ireland offers. A place to truly recover."

Our Accreditations

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