More teenagers seeking help for alcohol and drugs abuse, warns addiction centre

MORE teenagers than ever are looking for help for alcohol and drug abuse.

When the country’s only residential treatment centre for adolescents opened its doors five years ago, the average age of its clients was 18. But today, the Aislinn Centre in Ballyraggett, Co Kilkenny, helps more 16-year-olds than ever on the road to recovery.

“Over the past five years there has been a major change in society, particularly around the extent of use of substances,” says Sr Veronica Mangan from the centre. “The people coming to us are drinking far more and using more drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy and even cocaine.