You may want to stop drinking alcohol for any number of reasons. Perhaps you’re after the health benefits of sobriety, such as more energy and better sleep. Maybe it’s a challenge or a way to raise money for a cause close to your heart. This article teaches you how to stop drinking alcohol and why it […]
Category: General
Am I an Alcoholic if I Drink a Bottle of Wine a Day?
For many people, wine can be easy to drink. But if you’re drinking a bottle of wine a day on a regular basis you’re at risk of significant health issues. The real question you need to ask yourself is “am I an alcoholic?” It can also be the beginning of alcohol dependence or alcoholism. This […]
Trouble With the Law? How Addiction leads to Legal Problems
Addiction leads to legal problems in a variety of unexpected ways. Rehabilitation from an addiction of any kind should not be judgmental and help is available for those attempting to recover regardless of past legal problems. Legal Consequences Are Often Unforeseen Addicted people are especially at risk of falling foul of the law. Addiction will […]
Self-Care Does Not Mean Self-Medication: Coping Strategies for Addiction due to Stress at Work
Demanding jobs are the norm these days. They can be satisfying but are often highly stressful too. Anyone involved with the public, such as police, health or social workers, or teachers, might agree. Stress at work can lead to addiction because we sometimes learn to unwind from stress in inappropriate ways. In this article we shall […]
Understanding the Mind of a Gambling Addict
Much compulsive gambling behaviour is based on unrealistic thinking, to a greater degree than that found in other addictions. We are all conditioned to gambling by life, perhaps unknowingly, but it is how we respond that dictates if we will become addicted or not. At Smarmore Castle, admissions for Gambling Disorders increase yearly. In this article, […]
Can You Drink Alcohol While Breastfeeding?
There are many misconceptions about drinking while breastfeeding and scientific research on the subject over the years has been limited. For new mothers, it can be difficult to figure out if they can have a drink or should avoid alcohol completely. You can find out the latest HSE health guidance and research on this page. […]
Can You Drink Alcohol With Ibuprofen. Is It Safe or Dangerous?
Can You Drink Alcohol With Ibuprofen and Alcohol, Is It Safe? Ibuprofen is one of the most widely used anti-inflammatory painkillers available. Its effectiveness in treating mild to moderate pain and fever makes it a go-to for many common ailments. Available without a prescription, it is strong enough to treat everything from fever and menstrual […]
Step Two – How to Start a Spiritual Journey
By Therapist Aisling Farrell Step 2 – How to Start a Spiritual Journey: Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity Working Step Two is the beginning of a spiritual journey and helps in the belief that it is possible to let go of obsession and insanity and live […]
How to Practise Mindfulness at Home
Anyone who stays with us at Smarmore Castle practises mindfulness, helping you develop the skills you need to keep yourself strong and continue into a healthy recovery when you leave treatment with us. If you’ve been with us and are looking for a reminder of this, take a moment to remember being in the meeting […]
Step 1 of the 12-Steps
Smarmore Castle’s treatment is based on the 12 Steps of addiction recovery, which takes people who are suffering with addiction and helps you learn how to beat your addiction. This article provides an overview of Step 1, and it may be helpful for anyone who has already been through 12-Step treatment to return to this […]
A reflection of recovery by a past patient at Smarmore Castle
A former patient at Smarmore Castle sent us this reflection, looking back at their recovery journey, and we hope this helps anyone who is daunted by the prospect of treatment for addiction. You can come through this. Reflection of recovery by a past patient “As I sit here – two and a half years clean […]
Losing a pet and a family member in recovery
Anyone who has lost loved ones or who loves animals may identify with this little segment, written by a former patient at Smarmore Castle. “I have always had a love of animals from a young age, however over the course of my addiction I was lucky to be able to look after my kids and […]