Castle Craig – West Linton

Castle Craig changed my life. 6 weeks of hard work with great team of specialists. Today I have 9 months clean! Thank you CC!

Over 9 months ago, I checked myself into Castle Craig feeling completely broken. After years of struggling with ketamine addiction, I honestly didn’t know think I was capable of living a normal life again. Walking… through those doors was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. I was 6 stone when I arrived there, my blood pressure was so low and I was extremely weak. I am now 9 and a half stone and thriving physically and mentally. From the moment I arrived, I was treated with kindness, compassion and respect rather than judgement. Every member of staff genuinely cared, and they created an environment where I finally felt safe enough to be honest about my addiction and the reasons behind it. The therapy challenged me in ways I never expected. It wasn’t just about stopping drugs, it helped me understand myself, work through trauma and build the foundations for a life I never thought I’d have. The support from both the staff and the other patients was something I’ll always be grateful for. I am especially grateful for Jess and want to give thanks to her, she helped me with a certain traumatic event I went through early childhood, a huge weight has been lifted ever since because of her. Recovery hasn’t always been easy since leaving, but Castle Craig gave me the tools to face life’s challenges without turning back to ketamine. Today I’m over 9 months clean, I’m back DJing, running my own record label and teaching DJing in special needs schools. I now regularly speak openly about my recovery to students, showing them that no matter how difficult life feels, there is always hope and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. I’ve also found myself supporting people within the music industry who are battling addiction. Being able to share my own experience and help others take those first steps towards recovery is something I never imagined I’d be able to do, and it’s only possible because Castle Craig helped me rebuild my life. If you’re reading this because you’re frightened about going to rehab, please know that I felt exactly the same. Recovery is possible, and checking myself into Castle Craig genuinely saved my life. I’ll never be able to thank everyone there enough for giving me the chance to become the person I am today

I found the treatment was good but a few things really stood out. The chef that used to work there used to pass comments and shout like a mad man during diner. Thankfully he left. I was having a lot of health issues in… there and the nurse told me to man up! Turns out a few months later it was the start of an autoimmune disease. While there is great care there. Its also a thinking time bomb no supervision at night with little to no staff this wont end well. I'd say look elsewhere as it has the feeling of prison without the guards at times.

This place should not be treating anything but alcohol addiction - if that. They have no clue how to detox anybody from benzodiazepines. They tried to make me do it in six weeks after taking them for 25 years and what… it did to my nervous system is beyond words. I could barely function after I left and the NHS immediately put me back on benzodiazepines after Castle Craig told me the NHS would never prescribe them. Basically the staff just don’t care about these reviews or how they hurt people. They literally gave me brain damage from taking me off of the medications so quickly. It’s called benzodiazepine induced neurological dysfunction and is caused by rapid tapering. Castle Craig was awful. The food was like something you’d eat in a prison. Stuff was stolen from my room and the staff rifled through my stuff as if they didn’t believe me. One man almost became paralyzed due to lack of emergency medical care. The place is in the middle of nowhere. Don’t believe the reviews that show you stupid pictures of ponies and trees. The treatment itself sucks. A lot of it is just watching videos on YouTube and 12 step meetings online. You only see your counselor twice a week for a short time. The head counselor micromanages everybody else and is completely indifferent to the suffering of patients. Go to Promis in London. It’s so much better and it’s where I went to recover from the trauma of Castle Craig. If you need the bucolic scenery they have a location in Kent as well, though personally I much preferred being in Kensington. I hated being in the middle of nowhere at Castle Craig left at the mercy of uncaring, unqualified staff who could care less how bad you were suffering psychologically.

1 star! I was admitted for a 10-week treatment programme. I left after 4 days. During my stay I experienced the following: • Medications prescribed by a specialist — antibiotics and — were withheld by the treating… physician without my consent or adequate clinical justification, while having an active infection • A fellow patient followed me across the grounds repeatedly, shouting and refusing to leave me alone despite my repeated requests • I received death threats from fellow patients explicitly targeting my sexual orientation. I have reported this to the Scottish police as a hate crime • Personal belongings were stolen by fellow patients When I raised these concerns, I was told I would be discharged regardless as it was “not a fit.” My departure was then recorded as “discharge against medical advice.” Formal complaints have been submitted to the clinic, the GMC, and Scottish police. If you are LGBTQ+, or simply expect basic safety and medical competence — look elsewhere.

Worst clinic I have ever dealt with. After more than 6 months of back-and-forth communication, despite the fact that I do not speak Dutch, they failed to properly guide me or move forward with my treatment. Instead of… arranging the agreed treatment in Scotland, they sent me to a pointless “motivational meeting” that added absolutely no value. On top of that, they sent my insurance invoices totaling over €1,200 for services that achieved nothing and did not contribute to my recovery in any meaningful way. The lack of professionalism, poor communication, and complete waste of time and resources make this experience extremely disappointing. I would not recommend this clinic to anyone seeking serious and effective treatment

Mentally exhausted and severely addicted to cocaine, I arrived there on June 27, 2005, and have now been clean and sober for almost 21 years thanks to the 12-step plan. It's still not easy, but not using every day is… the best thing that has happened to me in my life. Sincerely, Paul in 't Zandt

Awful place to be. Do not recommend. I got a smart watch delivered on Sunday. It had disappeared out my room by Monday as ‘they don’t have locks on doors’ well try Calderglen they do and nothing ever gets stolen and if… it did the staff would be helpful. Hair straighteners, ladies iron and WiFi EarPods and an £18 cup flask all disappeared from our rooms but we’re told ‘small print in your contract’ advises we aren’t responsible. The food is disgusting. They gave nuts and other things people had allergies to at least 10 times. There was a lawyers petition when I left due to this. The therapists only work 9-5 in a 24/7 facility. 1 nurse though usually from an agency which is hopeless. So if you need help wait till office hours?!? Please research other places. This one costs the most monetary. You can’t leave the premises or buy food out of what they offer. No phones tv or computer and the treatment is not a patch on other rehabilitation centres locally for much better prices and more kind staff. I’ve experienced both. This place done me out of a lot. Still very angry about thieving out my room and it wasn’t us living there. It was their employees. But take your chances. Calderglen is only other one I have experienced and it’s so professional and it works. Stay safe guys x 🙏

My sister in law was in there. Waste of time. Isolated... filthy room. Just money grabbing business that makes profit out of others misery.

Really saddened by my experience here I understand that its a business however its also a rehab where that should be the priority its clear its maximum profit with minimal spend to get rapid detoxing done with the… cheapest medication regardless of the patients needs medically, they may specialise in alcohol detox but heroin detox they are verging on malpractice its scary disaster waiting to happen

This place is unacceptable. The staff is unprofessional, the rooms are not clean, and my overall experience has been extremely disappointing.

I will tell you about reality explaining what Castle Craig did for me. I was a polydrug and alcoholic user 24/7 with 21 times in Dutch Rehab, Parnassia. The 22nd was in Castle Craig hospital and that was and still the… only rehab that worked. I am now 6 years clean for the first time in 35 years. The proffessionalism there is second to yearsnone. Why? The teachers and psychologists have a past life in addiction. The stability it gave me made me a success. You are working on yourself with the help of your peers to make it. One thing, make sure you are done with addiction.

Excellent residential rehab facility located in the beautiful countryside of the Scottish Borders. I found the care from the therapists and the medical team to be of a very high standard and I felt that I could approach… them at any time to voice any concerns that I had. You will be made to work hard on yourself at Castlecraig and the journey isn't always an easy one, but if you truly want to recover from your addictions, then this is the place to start. My time spent here was just over eight years ago, but I'm still sober and it all began here!

I was a patient at Castle Craig in 2009-10 and I have so many fond memories of it. i struggled for a while with my eating disorder and mental health but gradually these stabilised. Despite some of the patients in… primary putting together a petition to get rid of me 🤣the staff held my corner every step of the way! Fond memories include the drum circle, the Friday night karaoke, the pantomime and Santa and his sleigh. Trips out shopping and furthest afield. Although it was often challenging I loved learning about myself and others. Working in the kitchen was a welcome respite and good fun. I made friends for life. I also took advantage of the aftercare programme. Being a patient at Castle Craig was the first time in my life I had ever felt safe and accepted and I will never forget that feeling ❤️ I would 100% recommend it to anyone seeking help not only for addiction but also for any comorbid conditions.

Already more then 3,5 years clean and sober just because Castle Craig changed my life. I've stayed here for 10 weeks and i got so much tools to stay clean and sober. What a great people work there, the surroundings are… peacefull and amazing and they will do everything to help you. Keep it simple, Just for Today ☺️🙏

This is such a brilliant place to aid recovery. I have gained so much from being there and the support from the staff is second to none. A special mention to Ross who has been a great support, he has the human touch,… posseses the knowledge and experience and is not textbook. I feel so confident and positive about my future. I put my all into the program and I felt fully supported throughout. They have got it right, work hard, have fun and own your recovery. The castle is stunning, the facilities are really good and the fact that you feel so comfortable in your recovery, makes you know that they really care. Once again. Thank you all so much. Keep this up and I'm confident that the castle will hold its status as the no 1 out there. Thanks for supporting me in my future and equiping me for my future life.

Top 5 recovery and addiction facility in the world, saver of lives, loves families and little ones

Stayed at Castle Craig during a very difficult time in my life in early 2023. The care & therapy I received there has definitely changed the direction of my life. After 20 years of addiction, Castle Craig has taught me… how to live a life free from the negatives that i was used to. I would recommend Castle Craig for anyone suffering with addiction issues to any substance.

Chris has done several jobs in my home and homes of other family members. Would recommend to anyone..he is punctual, reliable.safe working and knowledgeable. Ready to advise best solution for any electrical issues.

C.C. Is a fantastic place and setting. My recovery was difficult and also fun, the balance to recovery was amazing. Learning to become self aware, change of mind set having never experienced this before. Therapist and… therapy group allowed myself to trust in others become extremely open and extremely honest being very vulnerable. The support from all therapists and the community along with all staff are amazing! Alternative therapeutic treatment I would also recommend. C.C is aptly named the Castle contains your demons when you leave and Craig meaning rock everyone in C.C are your rock. Respect each other and enjoy your recovery. I say enjoy recovery you can have and will be able to see a great life without mind altering substances discharged on 2nd of May 2024 to begin my new life and also a new person, you can't go back to the good old you, you will be better caring loving person that was hidden by your addiction. The trees at Castle Craig keep growing as will you

I think the place set in beautiful grounds , the accomadation is nice however the sessions are repetive, involves3 12 step programme. Victoria hardman was the best therapist in my opinion However its different strokes… for different folks , If you have money you are favouritist Still a worthwhile place to go

My stay at castle craig was nt what i expected. A relative of mine had already been through the program and on his discharge wanted to staet a rehab of his own. Money no issue. Anyway i felt like a few of the therapist… were reporting to him about me and he would turn up at midnight and go off talking to staff. This made me feel very uncomfortable and had an effect on the way i conducted myself in there. I went to as many classes as i could stand and often fell asleep in there.. i knew that everything i did was reported to him. One day i was outside in the car park when i saw a range rover similar to one that was in our family fleet upon.a closer look i discovered that it was indeed ours but being driven by one of the head therapist. The next day once again i saw a Bentley and that to was one of ours but being driven by another therapist, so now it was clear to me that they had been head hunted by my family member but on the quiet. I wasnt even told, i worked it out myself. By now i had done my detox and was put on the extended care unit which i thought was a wasre of time and i decided to discharge myself. I never brought drugs into the clinic and didn't use any when i was there but in the report sent to .y doctir they said that i failed a drug test thet also told some of the other patients this because they phoned me and told me.. I just thought that the whole experience was ruined by all that went on which was wholly unprofessional ans greedy. The clinic had nothing positive to say about me and given that i was aet up to fail seemed unfair to say the least. I got clean at castle craig and have remained so some 15 or so years later, but now i see that the therapist assigned to me has been caught drink driving and one of the therapist who left to work for my family member is now back there made me post this review

Absolutely stunning views can walk for hours