DRUGS: Alternative help for addicts' kids
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
A pilot scheme in London is using alternative therapies to support the children of parents recovering from drug and alcohol addiction
A pilot scheme in London is using alternative therapies to support the children of parents recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Five to 17-year-olds are to receive acupressure and homeopathic treatments as part of the scheme, funded by Westminster city council.Provisionally called CORE Kids, it will be based at Londons existing CORE centre, which uses alternative therapies such as acupuncture with traditional drug replacement therapies such as methadone. Ian May, child psychotherapist and project leader at CORE Kids, believes society rarely addresses the effects that addicted parents can have on their child. What gets missed is the quality of care for the children, said May. Many of these kids have been emotionally neglected. These are often quite unhappy and disturbed kids. They see their parents clean up, but they also see the relapses.All therapies for young people will be supported by psychotherapy and counselling. May added that research indicates that acupressure and homeopathy can help support clients with attention deficit problems and anxiety disorders.The caring relationship and the experience of treatment and concern will help young people to feel secure enough to engage with the emotional work, explained May.