THE Priory in Southgate has opened a pioneering new unit dedicated to treating adolescent addictions.

The mental health hospital in The Bourne, Southgate, has treated adolescents with mental illness such as depression before, but the new unit will deal with substance addictions and what the hospital terms modern day' addictions, which include internet use and computer games.

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Claire Casey said computer addictions were becoming more and more frequent and that treatment, although long-haul, was successful.

"We think about the reasons why they are addicted," she said.

"They may have issues to do with family or school. It's about coming up with a good package of care."

Dr Casey said it was usually obvious when there was a problem, and it was often the individual who admits they cannot cope anymore.

"It only becomes a problem when it starts to become intrusive into normal patterns of every day life - if it starts to interfere with schooling, playing sport or being part of family life," she said.

Other warning signs include general apathy, mood swings, over-sensitivity to questions on drinking or drugs, and sudden changes in friends.

The unit will also treat gambling addictions in adolescents, although this is not seen as a common problem at the moment.

The Priory is best known for treating superstars with drug and alcohol addictions - with most famous people checking into the branch in Roehampton.

But now young people aged between 12 and 18 will be treated at the Southgate unit, following an increase in demand and enquiries.

A report by Alcohol Concern released last month said that the amount of alcohol consumed by girls aged 11 to 13 had increased by over 80 per cent between 2000 and 2006, while boys of the same age were drinking 43 per cent more in the same period.

The Priory said that if a child starts to drink alcohol or take drugs before they are 15, they are four times more likely to become addicted than those over the age of 21.

Dr Casey is one of only eight consultants specialising in adolescent addictions.

She said: "There really isn't anywhere else like it in Britain. It is a great shame as you need to get appropriate treatment for these addictions.

"With understanding, treatment and support, many adolescents are able to rebuild their lives and move forward to adulthood."

Generally associated with celebrity rehabilitation, Dr Casey said the Priory's facilities were not solely an exclusive service.

She advised parents to go to their GP if they have concerns. She said that a GP could arrange referrals, while it was also possible for the NHS to buy beds at the hospital, if it is an appropriate treatment.

The Priory provides free assessments for people seeking help and wanting to discuss treatment options.