Inpatient treatment

There’s no single profile of someone who comes to us for inpatient care. Inpatient treatment tends to be particularly useful when:

• Outpatient or online support has not been enough
• The home environment makes recovery difficult
• Physical withdrawal needs medical supervision
• Someone is managing both addiction and mental health needs at the same time

A review in Advances in Psychiatric Treatment found that inpatient care is the right option for people with more complex needs, including those at risk of severe withdrawal.

If you’re unsure whether inpatient treatment is right for you, call us. Our team will explain your options and answer whatever questions you have. 

Castle Health provides inpatient treatment for substance dependencies and some behavioural addictions, including gambling. Treatment is available at Castle Craig and Smarmore Castle, and is tailored to the specific substance or behaviour involved.

Each person’s dependence is different, and so is each treatment plan. If you’re looking for support with a specific addiction, our addiction treatment pages cover the conditions we treat in more detail, including the therapies and approaches most relevant to each.

Many people who come to us are managing both addiction and a mental health condition at the same time. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma are common with dependency, and treating one without the other rarely produces lasting results.

Research on co-occurring disorders shows that addiction and mental health conditions share common brain pathways, which is part of why they appear together so often. 

One national study found that around 19% of people in addiction treatment had significant mental health needs, with a further 25% reporting current mental health symptoms. 

At Castle Craig, consultant psychiatrists are available throughout treatment. If you arrive with a psychiatric diagnosis or develop mental health needs during treatment, the team treats both as part of the same plan.

Eating disorders are complex and can require specialist medical treatment, particularly when physical health is at risk. Inpatient care in a specialist eating disorder setting may be needed for medical monitoring.

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that residential treatment works better than day programmes for people with more severe eating disorders.

Castle Health can support people who are living with an eating disorder alongside addiction. Where specialist eating disorder treatment is indicated, we’ll help you find the right care within or outside our network.

The first step is a confidential conversation with our admissions team. They’ll ask about your history, your health, and what has brought you to this point. There’s no pressure and no obligation. The purpose of a private addiction assessment is to understand your situation and talk through what might help.

Once inpatient treatment is the agreed plan, the admissions team takes you through what to expect on arrival, what to bring, and how to prepare those close to you. You can read more about the rehab admissions process.

On arrival at Castle Craig, you’re met by nursing and admissions staff and taken to Kirkurd House, the dedicated admissions unit. A medical assessment takes place as soon as possible, and if a detox is needed, it begins straight away. You stay in the admissions unit until you’re assessed as medically ready to join the main community.

The clinical team monitors withdrawal carefully, and medication is adjusted based on how you respond. Detox can affect your mood, concentration, and energy levels, and the team will support you throughout.

Once detox is complete, the Foundation Programme begins. A typical day at Castle Craig includes individual therapy, group therapy, educational workshops, and 12 Step facilitation sessions. Evenings and weekends are left for rest and time with other patients. The routine is consistent, and that predictability is a welcome change when you’re early in recovery.

Recovery from addiction is not straightforward, and some days will be harder than others. Therapy helps you develop the skills and insights to manage the hard days, both during treatment and after you leave.

Research consistently shows that longer engagement with treatment leads to better outcomes. From the first weeks of your stay, your focal therapist begins working with you on a plan for continuing care after inpatient treatment. 

Castle Health’s continuing care is delivered online, and local outpatient clinics are available in parts of the UK and the Netherlands. Our team can also help you connect with AA or NA groups near you, so that community support is in place before you leave.

If you want to talk to them about it, keep it calm and don’t push for an immediate decision. Focus on what you’ve noticed and how it’s affected you. Encourage them to explore an assessment rather than committing to treatment outright. 

Addiction affects everyone close to the person in treatment. At Castle Craig, we offer a dedicated family programme that runs alongside the patient programme. Family members can attend workshops on addiction and take part in family therapy sessions to rebuild communication and trust.

Going home is a big moment for families too. Our continuing care planning includes guidance on what that looks like in practice.

The length of your stay depends on your history, any mental health needs, and how treatment progresses. At Castle Craig, the Foundation Programme runs for six weeks. An Advanced Programme is available for those who benefit from more time, particularly people with a long history of dependency or complex underlying needs. Your admissions team can give you a clearer picture.

Phone and device access is restricted during residential treatment. This is a deliberate part of the programme, as time away from screens and the usual noise helps. Each centre will explain its own policy before admission, and specific arrangements can be discussed with the admissions team.

Visiting arrangements vary between centres and depend on where you are in treatment. Visits are usually planned in collaboration with your therapist, with timing based on what is clinically appropriate at that stage of your recovery. Your admissions team can explain the policy at each centre when you enquire.

Yes. Castle Health’s inpatient treatment is private and confidential. Your admissions team can walk you through exactly what information is collected, who may have access to it, and how your privacy is protected throughout treatment. Consent forms are completed on arrival, and you can update your preferences at any point during your stay.

The admissions team will confirm the full list before you arrive. Generally, you’ll need comfortable, practical clothing, toiletries, and any prescribed medication in its original packaging. There is a clear list of items that are not permitted on site, and the team will go through this with you before admission.