Counseling for alcohol abuse at 12-years-old

In a truly worrying revelation, NHS Lothian has released statistics showing children as young as 12 to be receiving drug and alcohol addiction counseling. While health chiefs were reluctant to number the amount of 12 and 13 year olds helped in 2008, it was revealed that eighteen children aged 14 received counseling last year. The numbers increase with age, with twenty-five 16-year-olds and thirty 17-year-olds receiving counseling.

It’s a shocking trend, with several charities reporting that the rise in youngsters crying out for help with their drinking reflects their own experiences. In fact, the NHS statistics disclose the total number of youngsters who have either sought or been referred to its services to tackle their drug or drink abuse – a concerning total of 121 young people, of which 51 were receiving drug abuse treatment, and the remaining 70 treatment for alcohol support.

Anne Houston, chief executive of the Edinburgh-based charity CHILDREN 1^ST, said: “We know that young people, like adults, often use drugs or alcohol to cope with problems in their lives, such as difficult family relationships or sexual abuse, and that the numbers of children calling ChildLine in Scotland about their own drinking has increased over the past five years.

“There is often a lot going on behind the drinking and drug taking and we need to build children’s confidence and encourage them to talk about their problems.”

CHILDREN 1^ST not only support families under stress but aim to protect children from harm and neglect, help them recover from abuse and promote children’s rights and interests. As one of the Perople’s Postcode Lottery’s chosen charities, players have raised over £569,000 for CHILDREN 1^ST. This is enough to fund the running costs of ParentLine Scotland for a full year. This free and confidential helpline supports parents so they can provide the best possible care for their children. The core funds from People’s Postcode Lottery allows CHILDREN 1^ST to maintain their independence, deliver local services where they are needed and be the voice of Scotland’s children. Visit www.children1st.org.uk and www.peoplespostcodelottery.com to find out more.