
Smarmore Castle Drug & Alcohol Rehab
Physical Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Women
Women’s bodies are more susceptible to the damaging effects of alcohol abuse. For example, alcohol-related liver disease and brain damage affects women more quickly, and is triggered by lower doses of alcohol than in men.
Psychological Effects of Alcohol Abuse in Women
Shame
Women are more likely to experience shame and stigma than men. This can make them less likely to speak out about their addiction problems. This is particularly true if they have children, because they may be afraid of being labelled as a bad mother.
Depression/Anxiety
Women suffering alcohol addiction problems experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, at four times the rate of the general population. In many cases, these psychological symptoms are relieved once the patient is treated for addiction problems.
Self-Harm and Suicide
Women suffering alcohol addiction problems are more likely to self harm, particularly those aged 20 to 29. According to some research, as many as 50% of young women with alcohol problems may attempt suicide.
Abuse
Women suffering addiction problems are more likely to have experienced abuse, assault and other traumatic experiences.

Reaching Out
Alcohol Addiction and Eating Disorders
Addicted people are far more likely to experience eating disorders than the general population. Eating disorders share some characteristics with addiction, such as impaired impulse control and experience of cravings. In some cases, an eating disorder can be masked by an addiction problem, and will emerge once the addiction problem is treated.
Alcohol Addiction often Overlaps with Drug Addiction
Women suffering from alcohol addiction may also experience a problematic relationship with other drugs.
Residential Rehab for Addicted Women
Residential rehab is often the best treatment option for women suffering from alcohol addiction problems. This is because residential rehab is the most effective type of treatment for co-occurring psychological issues such as anxiety and depression.
It is also a good option for women in emotionally or physically abusive relationships because it removes them from the influence of their partner. It also minimises the exposure to relapse triggers, such as walking past the shop you always buy alcohol in. This is very beneficial during the early stages of recovery, when the patient may be more susceptible to environmental triggers.

Get Help and Advice for Your Addiction Today
- How to Access Rehab With Health Insurance
For those experiencing existing mental health conditions in Ireland, there are private medical insurers who can help you cover treatment. As addiction experts, we know that receiving the appropriate care and support when you have a mental health disorder is pivotal to attaining long-lasting recovery. Below, we will go through the various health insurance options to help you understand your options when it comes to seeking private residential care for substance abuse. Please note that there is no guarantee that you can be covered for all addiction problems as policies are always assessed on a case-by-case basis. Find Out More
- My Loved One Doesn’t Want Help, What Do I Do?
You can’t force someone to go to rehab. At the end of the day, it needs to be their decision because they are the ones that need to be open to turning their lives around. There are ways in which you can encourage someone to enter treatment, one of these ways is via an intervention with a trained interventionist, who facilitates an honest discussion between family members and the addict. This is something Smarmore Castle can arrange – contact us today.
- Which Drugs Does Smarmore Castle Detox From?
We can detox people from any drugs whether they are illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, ketamine; or prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines or zopiclone, oxycodone, zolpidem, klonopin, methadone, cannabis; and legal drugs such as alcohol.
- How Long Is the Treatment Programme?
Our treatment programme starts at 4 weeks and is flexible in length, giving you the opportunity to extend for a longer period if you need it.
- Do You Treat Dual Diagnosis?
All patients are reviewed by a consultant psychiatrist in the first week and we can diagnose and provide treatment for a number of co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Do I Need to Be Abstinent Before Admission?
Our medically managed detoxification with 24/7 medical cover means that we can perform complete and complex detoxes at Smarmore Castle. You don’t need to be abstinent before arrival.
- How Do I Get To Rehab Safely?
Smarmore Castle is one hour north of Dublin international airport and we can arrange a driver to collect you and bring you straight to us for free.
We can also arrange a ‘sober transport’ service with a trusted driver, from anywhere in Ireland or Northern Ireland, at an additional cost.