Secluded countryside retreat that uses celebrated treatment to help patients

Published on Wednesday 3 March 2010 21:55

CASTLE Craig Hospital, situated in the beautiful countryside of the Scottish Borders, is a well-known retreat for people suffering from drug- or alcohol-related problems. Taking private and NHS patients, the clinic was founded in 1988 by Peter and Dr Margaret McCann, who have been treating addictive diseases for more than quarter of a century.

Their treatment style was based on pioneering work on addiction in the United States and, in particular, the famous Hazelden centre in Minnesota. Castle Craig has borrowed the so-called "Minnesota method" – a 12-step abstinence-based treatment programme – which has now won it international recognition as one of Europe's best addiction treatment centres.

The 55-bed hospital is housed in a 200-year-old mansion house built by the Earl of Hyndford. Patients are able to enjoy not just the house but some 50 acres of parkland and woods, providing a relaxed environment cut off from the pressures and temptations of the outside world. Castle Craig's motto is "Let Go, Let God".

Its website lays out its methods, which include an initial personal assessment, followed by detoxification and group therapy. Each patient is assigned their own therapist. Patients are even encouraged to try their hand at creating art as a way of helping them discover hidden talents.

More traditional methods, such as yoga and country walks, are also encouraged.

Patients may expect to stay at the centre for up to six weeks as they learn to understand their addiction, and – crucially – techniques on how best to prevent a relapse.

Castle Craig then provides aftercare for patients who have returned back into the community, in order to give them the support they often require when they are back in their neighbourhoods.

It now takes patients from across Scotland's health boards, as well as from health trusts and local authorities in England. The centre is particularly popular with Dutch authorities.

Mr Purcell appears to have been in the clinic for two days at most, before leaving on Tuesday.

The clinic's website states that the length of time patients require depends on their "individual needs", but some patients may spend up to three months in secondary care before being allowed to go home.