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Age: 15
Alex, whose parents are separated, is an only child. She has been
a binge drinker and has been expelled from school, but has maintained
her interest in beauty. 
She has been bullying her mother, Lisa, when she wants something.
Alex has frequently told her mother to fuck off and has frequently
been aggressive. Her mother has often been frightened of her. And
at school things have been no better. A school report reads: 'In
the experience of the staff who worked with Alex, her behaviour
was not typical teenage behaviour. Alex showed by her attitude and
behaviour that she was outside the school's control as well
as beyond the control of her mother.'
Lisa has not been able to handle her daughter's behaviour.
'She's out of school, out of home and out of control,'
Lisa says. 'She will drink a bottle of vodka or pints and
pints of beer and actually come home and tell me that's what
she's done and as a parent I have to sit and listen to it.'
Lisa refers back
to one of the more horrific incidents: 'When I got there after she
got drunk and put her hand through the window, there was blood everywhere
and she was just lying there with her hand bleeding. She was probably
so stoned she didn't even know.'
Alex's mother has seen only a bleak future for her daughter:
'I think she is going to end up in prison. I really don't
think there is anything else I can do to help Alex and I am pinning
everything on this experience for her.'
Alex has done really well. She gets on better with her mother Lisa and she does not binge drink any more. She also has a Saturday job.
'Alex has always loved music and this has been important for her during the difficult times, helping to keep her calm when she felt anxious,' Lisa says.
Alex loves fashion and styling. 'She has a great eye for style and her ambition at this point is to become a model,' Lisa adds.
On the way to the airport to go to Turn-About Alex revealed she was nervous, but it was worth it. 'The camp has made a huge difference not only to Alex's life but all our lives,' Lisa says. 'We are all much happier now and optimistic about the future. Alex is calmer and much more focused.'
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