In partnership with the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, Youthcom has been involved in advocating for a therapeutic residential centre for young people with addictions. This project is in its early stages, but we hope to be able to give further information on this project in the near future.

What does ICAP hope to achieve?

• A 2 year recovery and support programme for 15 - 18 year olds
• 6 week residential programme, a parental support programme based on spirituality of the 12 Steps (both programme and physical environment)
• Follow-up support
• Drop-In facility

Signs of teenage alcoholism

Teenagers may exhibit different signs of alcoholism. Some signs may be quite obvious. Others may be harder to see if the teen is skilled in keeping their alcoholism a secret. Teenagers will exhibit some of these signs for other reasons, but when they occur together with drinking alcohol, they might have a problem. While the presence of these signs do not necessarily mean a person is alcoholic, they are warning signs that alcohol is beginning to take control over an individual.

• Sleep problems/fatigue
• Depression
• Withdrawing from others - spending more time alone
• Drop in grades/Problems in school - skipping school/missing classes
• Behavior problems - not getting along with others, quick to anger
• Changes in appearance
• Continuous partying/getting drunk - feeling that it's necessary to get drunk in order to have a good time.
• Hangovers
• Blackouts - not being able to account for specific periods of time
• Denial - if someone is drinking excessively and feels they don't have a problem, this is a major sign of alcoholism.

"Contacts have told me that it is possible in some parts of the country for young people to order alcohol on the phone with takeaways so the delivery doesn't arouse suspicion. If this practice turns out to be widespread then it could be a very worrying trend."

Dr Sheila Shribman, National Clinical Director for Children