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Home | The brat files | Chill-out zone | Who cares? | From adversity to adventure | Find out more
Age: 16
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.
'I don't think there is any point in going out drinking unless you are going to get absolutely hammered. I was pretty angry once, so I got myself a bottle of vodka and drank most of it and I was basically stuck outside my house and so I just smashed my hand through the window.
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.'
'I think I'm in control of my relationship with my mum. I'll smash things and throw things. I'm expelled so I don't go to school. I never used to set my alarm for a certain time and I just woke up when I was ready to go to school. I just couldn't be bothered. I don't respect rules at all. I make my own rules. I've got in trouble with the police quite a few times. I used to steal phones and sell them. I feel a bit guilty about that, because of seeing people crying because they've lost their phones."
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.'
Think you know better? Are you a teenager and think you can sort out other people's parents? Get a word in edgeways on the forum.
See also: Jenni, Josh, Joe, Xanthe, Ed and Jemma
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