For many parents, the moment they begin searching for help for their teenager is not calm or clinical. It is emotional, urgent, and often fueled by fear. Your teen may be withdrawing, struggling with sleep, refusing school, spending hours online, experimenting with substances, or cycling through anxiety and depression that no longer feels “typical.” You […]
Understanding teen drug slang can feel like deciphering a foreign language—but it can also offer important clues about what your teen may be experiencing. This guide, informed by Muir Wood’s clinical team, helps parents recognize common drug slang terms, spot behaviors that may signal risky substance use, and take thoughtful next steps if they’re concerned. Because drug slang often reflects something deeper—stress, peer pressure, or emotional pain—knowing these terms can help you start a calm, supportive conversation before experimentation escalates.
When outpatient care isn’t enough, residential treatment offers teens a safe, structured environment where healing can happen around the clock. This guide walks parents through what to expect—from daily routines and evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT, to how family involvement supports lasting recovery. Learn how residential care helps teens stabilize, build coping skills, and prepare for a successful transition home.
Offering Teen Mental Health and Substance Use Support Close to Home Help for teens. Hope for families. Healing starts here. If you’re a parent in the Central Valley navigating the emotional rollercoaster of teen mental health challenges, you’re not alone, and you shouldn’t have to travel far to get the help your family needs. That’s […]
Treating in Summer, Thriving in Fall: A Smarter Path for Teens in Need Summer is often seen as a time to relax and recharge. But for teens facing mental health challenges or substance use issues, it can quietly become a time of regression. With less structure, no daily school routines, and reduced access to support […]
Anxiety can be difficult to distinguish from other conditions, with overlaps in both cognitive processing and physiological responses. If you understand anxiety and other health conditions, you can better identify what’s going on and seek proper treatment. Overview of Anxiety Most people experience anxiety from time to time. A significant number are also diagnosed with […]
Drug use is surprisingly common among teenagers. According to the 2023 Monitoring the Future survey, 31.2% of high school seniors reported illicit drug use in the past year. Recognizing the signs of teenage drug addiction and other drug use can help parents protect teens and guide them toward proper treatment. Signs of Teenage Substance Use […]
When teens struggle with substance use, there’s a deeper story beneath the surface—often one of pain, trauma, and an attempt to cope with overwhelming emotions. Examining how substance use, addiction, and trauma are interconnected is the first step toward helping teens find healing. For many parents, recognizing this connection can be eye-opening, paving the way […]
It’s difficult, painful, and often frightening to watch your teen struggle with substance use or mental health issues. While you may feel eager to start your teen’s recovery as soon as possible, your teen’s readiness and willingness to seek help is a critical part of a successful recovery journey. These questions can help you understand […]
Mental health challenges and substance use rarely exist in isolation during adolescence: Up to 75% of teens with substance use disorders also experience mental health challenges. While these challenges manifest differently for each individual, some turn to substances to cope, creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break. What begins as an attempt to […]
Substance use is one of the top risk factors for suicide in teens. Teens may also turn to substances as a way to cope with profound mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma—all of which further increase the risk of suicidal ideation and related behaviors. When teens turn to substance use as a […]
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10–24, resulting in thousands of deaths each year. As recently as 2021: Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey Teen suicide facts can help parents understand this issue. We’ve gathered the most recent data on the topic to better equip parents to support their […]
