In-Network With Most Commercial Insurers
*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal
Treatment for Teen Marijuana Use
According to a national survey, marijuana is the most commonly used substance among adolescents in the U.S. At this sensitive age, the effects of cannabis use can interfere with brain development, mental health, and daily functioning. For parents, noticing early signs of frequent cannabis use can be overwhelming, and deciding how to intervene may feel confusing. Muir Wood Teen provides specialized care for adolescents ages 12–17 struggling with teen marijuana use and its impact on mental health, academics, and motivation. Our residential and intensive outpatient programs provide a structured, compassionate environment where teens receive evidence-based treatment tailored to their unique needs.
Through our dual-diagnosis approach, we treat both cannabis use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions, helping adolescents understand the factors driving their use and equipping them with healthy coping strategies for long-term well-being. Understanding the effects of marijuana use on high school students can help parents intervene early and reduce prolonged adverse effects.
The Muir Wood Teen Difference
Our team partners closely with parents and caregivers from day one— providing clear communication, a personalized plan, and practical tools for life after treatment. – While teens receive 24/7 care in a supportive peer environment, families are equipped alongside them to support continued progress and lasting change.
Some of our key differentiators include:
Specialists in Adolescent Care
Everything we do is built for teens ages 12–17, not adapted from adult models. Our team includes board-certified psychiatrists, highly trained therapists, nurses, educators, and recovery counselors who specialize exclusively in adolescent mental health and substance use treatment. Working as an integrated team, they deliver evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care tailored to each teen’s unique needs.
Community and Connection
Our campus-based environment supports coordinated, therapist-led group therapy alongside meaningful peer interaction. Teens build trust, communication, and coping skills through shared therapeutic experiences and real-time practice—the entire experience is therapeutic. Individual therapy provides personalized support to deepen insight and help teens apply these skills beyond treatment, supporting lasting emotional growth and stability.
Expertise in Primary Mental Health + Substance Use
With expertise in treating both primary mental health and co-occurring substance use challenges, our trauma-informed approach helps teens heal deeply and build lasting change. We focus on the whole person—addressing both emotional well-being and underlying behavioral patterns—to support lifelong healing.
Support for the Whole Family
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens together. At Muir Wood, families stay actively involved through therapy, education, and a 16-week aftercare coaching program that builds trust, communication, and stability long after treatment ends. Our depth of experience working with adolescents and families allows us to anticipate challenges, guide meaningful change, and support progress well beyond discharge.
Accessible, High-Quality Care Covered by Insurance
Muir Wood is committed to removing financial barriers to care by partnering with most major insurance providers, ensuring families can access high-quality, evidence-based treatment when it matters most.
Stay in School While Getting Support
School stays the priority. Whether in Residential treatment or IOP, teens can keep up to date with education. We help them map assignments, manage stress, and practice executive functioning skills such as planning, time management, and communication. When helpful, we coordinate with families and schools so gains in treatment carry into the classroom and daily routines.
Continuum of Care
We believe strong outcomes depend on continuity and collaboration. From admission through discharge, we coordinate closely with your teen’s existing providers and aftercare programs—whether that’s our IOP or another trusted outpatient partner. Our team stays in regular communication with the broader care network to support timely transitions, shared understanding, and a clear path forward.
Speak With a Teen Treatment Specialist
Connect with our admissions team today to learn how Muir Wood can support your family.
Muir Wood Treatment Center Reviews
Read about Muir Wood experiences from a parent who has been through it. Read these and other reviews from real parents of Muir Wood alumni. If you would like to speak to an alumni parent, contact us and we’ll arrange it.
“Ruby had a very positive experience overall both times. Many programs make lots of promises and don’t deliver. Muir wood was a transformational experience for Ruby and I think the experience of being part of a community of peers was especially helpful. I’m a mental health professional myself and have already recommended Muir Wood to friends with teens who are struggling.”
Sasha A. Blum – September 2023
“From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt like part of a supportive com- munity dedicated to helping teens thrive. The staff here are compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly invested in the wellbeing of every teen in their care. The programs are tailored to address the needs of each individual, providing a safe space for growth and healing. I highly recommend this center to any parent seeking top-notch care.”
Krista Merlino – May 2024
“Our child had medication resistant severe depression. Muir Wood helped find the right medication and provided a supportive environment, over Covid, no less. My child is thriving and we both agree that even though it was a hard period, it was the best choice to get them treatment. The tutors worked with his teachers and he maintained a 4.0 while getting better.”
Tomasina Burgess – June 2024
“There really are other families that are struggling in more or less the same ways that we are,” she shares in the video below. “I think there’s a way that addiction can make people feel like it’s only happening to them, and it’s really not. It’s behind so many closed doors. And I only wish that more people would come out and get the help that they deserve and that is there to be had. I’m really grateful we found it.”
Katie F. – June 2024
“This program was really wonderful for our daughter and our family as a whole. We love the parent classes and the parent support group. L. loved most of the staff and made some great friends with other girls in the program. The communication between staff and parents is excellent.”
Ilene G. – Oct 2025
My daughter is at the Petaluma Site. She has been there for about 40 days and the therapist has been very communicative. I feel apart of her treatment and have been updated weekly as well as a fast response anytime I have had questions. The support has been great and I love the parent classes. I have learned a lot in this time.
Angela R. – Oct 2025
Signs of Marijuana Use in Teens
Understanding the signs of marijuana use in teens can be difficult, especially since many of the changes that come with adolescence can look similar. But when those shifts begin to affect your teen’s mood, motivation, or connection to daily life, it may be time to look closer. You might notice them pulling away from family or friends, becoming more secretive, or spending more time alone. These subtle changes can be early indicators that your teen is struggling to manage cannabis use or related mental health challenges.
- School: Grades may drop, attendance may slip, and, in some cases, this may lead to disciplinary issues at school or legal trouble.
- Emotional changes: Emotions can become more pronounced—irritability, anxiety, or mood swings that seem stronger than typical teen stress.
- Physical Signs: Bloodshot eyes, fatigue, or noticeable changes in appetite.
- Withdrawing: They may withdraw from social activities or hobbies that once brought them joy.
Northern California — Sonoma County
Lohrman Campus for Girls
Mental health and substance use care for teen girls on a tranquil Petaluma property within Sonoma County, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills.
Skillman Campus for Boys
Dual-diagnosis treatment for teen boys—mental health and substance use care on a serene Petaluma property in lovely Sonoma County.
Central California — Clovis/Fresno County
Makena Campus for Girls
Teen girls receive dual-diagnosis care for mental health and substance use challenges in Clovis—a tranquil foothill setting at the gateway to California’s majestic Sierra Nevada.
Southern California — Arlington Heights Area
Call Us To Learn More
The Risks of Marijuana Use in Teens
Marijuana use among teens can often feel low-risk —especially as products become more accessible and socially normalized. What’s often overlooked is that today’s cannabis is significantly more potent than in the past, and adolescent brains are still developing. When use begins early or becomes frequent, the risks dramatically increase.
Regular or high-potency marijuana use in teens is associated with:
- Impaired memory, attention, and learning
- Worsening symptoms of anxiety, depression, or ADHD
- Increased vulnerability to psychosis or schizophrenia in teens with a genetic or clinical predisposition
- Academic decline, school avoidance, or reduced educational achievement
- Development of cannabis use disorder or progression to other substances
While marijuana use may not initially seem like a serious concern, it can quietly interfere with emotional development, mental health, and future functioning. When use becomes more frequent—or starts affecting mood, motivation, or school—it’s often a sign that professional support may be helpful.
When to Seek Help for Your Teen’s Marijuana Use
If your teen’s marijuana use is having negative effects on their daily life, mental health, or relationships, it’s time to reach out for help. Early intervention can prevent long-term consequences for academic performance, emotional regulation, and overall functioning. Getting help early, before regular use becomes misuse, gives your teen structure, support, and evidence-based coping tools to regain control, improve mental health, and restore confidence.
You should seek professional support if you notice:
- Persistent decline in school performance or motivation.
- Strained family or peer relationships due to secrecy, conflict, or mood changes.
- Attempts to reduce or stop use that are unsuccessful.
- Risky behavior, including driving, legal issues, or unsafe social situations.
Muir Wood Supports the Entire Family
We recognize that recovery from marijuana addiction is a family journey. Parents and caregivers are critical partners in helping teens navigate substance use challenges and regain stability. You will receive regular communication and updates from the clinical team on your child’s progress, family therapy sessions to strengthen your relationship and promote trust, and aftercare support, including our 16-week family coaching program, alumni check-ins, and guidance on connecting with local outpatient or IOP resources. Education and coaching are always a priority at Muir Wood Teen. Our goal is to support healthy boundaries and coping strategies that can be learned and brought back home. By engaging families, we ensure that teens return home with a supportive environment, practical tools, and sustainable strategies for long-term success.
Accreditations
Substance Use Treatment Options
Muir Wood Teen provides residential and intensive outpatient treatment alongside co-occurring mental health conditions. We prioritize continued family involvement and structured support to maximize long-term recovery.
We provide specialized care for teens who may also be struggling with:
- Alcohol use: Understanding its impact on judgment, mood, and relationships.
- Opioid or stimulant use: Comprehensive clinical and therapeutic support for safe recovery.
- Marijuana: Recognizing the impacts on brain health, motivation, and relationships.
Our Approach to Care
At Muir Wood Teen, we understand that marijuana use in adolescents is often a symptom of underlying trauma or mental health challenges. Our approach focuses on treating the whole teen, addressing both substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Care is individualized, trauma-informed, and evidence-based, ensuring your teen receives the right level of support for their unique needs.
We prioritize a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach. In addition to licensed clinicians, therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and educators, and recovery counselors.
Personalized treatment plans are curated for each teen’s emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs. We consider co-occurring conditions, social dynamics, and family context to ensure comprehensive care by featuring families as an essential part of recovery, teens receive the support and strength they need to maintain healthy routines at home. Our goal is not only abstinence—it’s helping teens regain control of their lives, rebuild trust with themselves and their families, and develop the skills and confidence to thrive both now and into young adulthood.
Therapy Formats Used for Teen Marijuana Addiction
At Muir Wood Teen, treatment is compassionate, trauma-informed, and evidence-based, addressing the root causes of marijuana use and its impact on your teen’s life. Every treatment plan is personalized to meet the unique developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs of adolescents aged 12–17.
Our core therapeutic methods include:
Individual Therapy
Tailored sessions explore emotional triggers, coping skills, and strategies to reduce substance use.
Group Therapy
Safe, peer-based groups provide accountability, shared learning, and social support.
Recovery Counselors
Embedded in daily life, reinforcing skills in real time, and helping them navigate triggers, peer dynamics, and high-risk moments as they arise.
Family Therapy
Weekly sessions help families improve communication, rebuild trust, and reinforce healthy home routines.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Teens learn to recognize thought patterns that contribute to use and replace them with healthier behaviors.
Motivational Interviewing & Relapse Prevention
Builds intrinsic motivation for recovery and strategies for long-term abstinence.
Experiential & Mindfulness Activities
Art, movement, outdoor therapy, and mindfulness help teens regulate emotions, reduce stress, and develop resilience.
Academic Support
Our WASC-accredited academic program ensures continuity of education during treatment, helping teens stay on track academically while reinforcing structure, confidence, and self-discipline.
This integrated approach ensures that treatment is not just about stopping marijuana use, but about supporting growth, wellness, and long-term behavioral health.