If left untreated, mental illness and associated behaviors like self-harm can worsen over time. Thankfully, a variety of professional approaches and interventions exist to help teens struggling with their mental health. Therapy for teens who are cutting or self-harming offers an alternative outlet for overwhelming feelings and gives them tools for healthy emotional regulation and […]

While it can be painful to discover that your teen is self-harming, the behavior indicates a need for support. Nearly 20% of teens worldwide have engaged in self-harm behavior—and most teens who hurt themselves do so because they are struggling with underlying mental  health issues. It is also important to know that self-harm is not […]

In a 2021 CDC study, 2 out of 5 teens reported emotional distress during the year. Many of these teens turn to high-risk behaviors to cope, such as substance use, violence, or unprotected sex. These can lead to poor health outcomes and further exacerbate their emotional distress. It’s normal to feel concerned by troubling teen […]

Self-harm behaviors can be painful to witness and difficult to understand. Why do teens self-harm? It’s generally because they’re in emotional pain—teens use self-harm as a coping mechanism for overwhelming feelings. If your teen has turned to self-harm as a way to cope with their pain, we’re here to offer hope and healing. Your thoughtful […]

Prescription drug abuse among teens is a growing concern that many parents underestimate, often viewing these medications as safer alternatives to street drugs—but that perception couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether it’s Adderall being misused as a study aid, Ambien taken to experience hallucinations, or benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium used for self-medication, prescription drugs carry serious risks of addiction, overdose, and life-threatening complications. At Muir Wood, we understand the unique pressures today’s teens face—academic stress, social anxiety, and the overwhelming demands of preparing for adulthood—and we know that these challenges can sometimes lead young people to make dangerous choices. Our specialized treatment programs address not just the substance use itself, but the underlying mental health issues, stress, and self-esteem challenges that drive teens toward these substances, providing them with healthier coping mechanisms and the support they need to build a brighter future.

Approximately 0.6% of Americans experience gender dysphoria—many are teenagers. Gender dysphoria stems from incongruence between one’s assigned sex at birth and their gender identity. The condition is typically experienced by transgender individuals. The distress of gender dysphoria is often magnified by the other stressors teens face, including social stigma, bullying, and harassment. All of these […]

There has been a significant surge in overdose deaths among American adolescents. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association points to synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, as driving a troubling spike in overdose deaths among teens. According to the research by Friedman, Godvin, Shover, et al., the overdose mortality rate among US adolescents 14–18 […]

Teen vaping — the use of e-cigarettes, or vapes, among teens, has become so widespread and so troubling that the Food and Drug Administration has started to take drastic action to counter the trend. Last September, the FDA ordered five brands—Juul, Vuse, MarkTen, blu e-cigs, and Logic—to submit plans to address teen use of their […]

The legalization of recreational marijuana use in California has set off an advertising boom on billboards across the state. They promise “Cannabis, the California Way!” and try to suggest that marijuana can help Californians say goodbye to stress or “get rid of pesky hangovers.” Another billboard promises “unrivaled potency” while asking users to “medicate responsibly.” […]

“That Zan With That Lean”: Adolescent Substance Abuse and the Rap Culture   The current opioid crisis has received much attention in the United States. According to government data, more than 47,000 people were killed by opioids in 2017. Across 52 areas in 45 states opioid overdoses increased by 30 percent from July 2016 through […]

Teen Rehab for Marijuana Use Disorder This article presents some of the factors associated with teen marijuana use that appear to be driving more and more adolescents into teen treatment of one kind or another. The number of Americans supporting the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana (cannabis) products has been steadily increasing over […]

Teen group therapy for teens is an important psychotherapeutic tool. When substance abuse enters the picture, the negative aspects of adolescence are magnified, leaving family members feeling helpless and frightened. Teenage boys who become addicted to drugs are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors like driving under the influence, having unsafe sex, getting into […]