Muir Wood Blog
Guidance, research, and real-world tools to help your family navigate teen mental health, substance use, and the road to lasting recovery.
Teens can easily purchase prescription drugs and synthetic substances online—often without a prescription, age verification, or parental knowledge. Learn what parents need to know about this growing threat and how to protect your teen....Read More...
Read moreHarm reduction is an approach that focuses on understanding why teens use drugs before jumping to stopping the behavior. Learn how this strategy works, its benefits for parent-teen relationships, and the potential pitfalls parents should avoid....Read More...
Read moreAdderall and other ADHD medications can be life-changing for those who truly need them—but for teens without ADHD, these stimulants carry serious addiction risks. Learn how prescription drug misuse can escalate quickly and what parents can do to help....Read More...
Read moreA study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that personality-based intervention programs significantly reduced teen alcohol use—with participants up to 43% less likely to binge drink. Learn how addressing personality traits like impulsivity and anxiety can help protect teens from alcohol abuse....Read More...
Read moreDr. John Sharp of Harvard Medical School explains why early teen substance abuse is so dangerous—and why parental intervention is critical. Learn how the developing teenage brain increases addiction risks and what steps you can take to help your son....Read More...
Read moreNew research confirms that teen drinking—even experimental use—can have lasting effects on brain development and increase the risk of lifelong addiction. Learn what the science says and how to set clear boundaries to protect your teen....Read More...
Read moreAllowing teens to drink at home may seem like a way to keep them safe, but research shows it can lead to greater risks. Learn why setting clear boundaries around alcohol is essential for your teen's health and future....Read More...
Read moreDrug testing in middle schools before sports participation is a growing and controversial practice. Learn about the arguments for and against it—and what parents can do if they're concerned about their teen's drug use....Read More...
Read moreShame and fear of judgment can prevent families from seeking help for a teen's addiction—but staying silent often makes things worse. Learn how to protect your privacy while still getting the support your family needs....Read More...
Read moreA study in the American Journal of Public Health found that teens with more positive community experiences are less likely to develop drug or alcohol problems. Learn how parents can help strengthen their teen's community connections to reduce substance abuse risk....Read More...
Read moreA new study links just four years of heavy college drinking to serious heart risks, including heart attacks and strokes. Learn what binge drinking really means and how to talk to your teen son about it before he heads to college....Read More...
Read moreWith marijuana laws changing across the U.S., teens are receiving mixed messages about its safety. Learn how parents can talk to their teens about the real risks of marijuana use and what to do if your teen needs help....Read More...
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