Drug hospital celebrates its 20th birthday

Published on Monday 30 June 2008 10:40

THE UK's largest hospital for the treatment of addictions has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Castle Craig Hospital, in West Linton, near Edinburgh, has treated more than 7000 people since 1988.

It held a reunion for physicians and former patients yesterday with talks including "addiction treatment: how to change the brain", delivered by two eminent psychiatrists, Dr Peter Geerlings, the former medical director of The Jellinek in Amsterdam, and Dr Geert Dom, head of addiction, at the psychiatric centre Alexian Brothers, Belgium.

Peter McCann, Castle Craig chairman, said: "The annual reunion is always an inspirational occasion where hundreds of former patients return to Castle Craig.

"Over the last 20 years, attendance at the reunion has grown rapidly and this year we are anticipating around 600 attendees.

"Substance misuse is one of Scotland's major problems and Castle Craig plays an important role in influencing public awareness that people who are addicted do recover and go on to lead abstinent and fulfilled lives."