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Category: Commonly Abused Substances

Teen substance abuse is a major problem in the United States and all over the world. As a parent, educating yourself about the disease of addiction and how to treat it can make the difference in helping your teen through a difficult time, and into a successful and rewarding way of living.

“Across the United States substance abuse in all its forms is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In Northern California, there is a major lack of high-quality adolescent treatment programs. Scott Sowle has been responsible for the development of nationally recognized treatment programs for adolescents and their families. Muir Wood is an exceptional program that addresses the key elements in effectively treating adolescents with substance abuse and co-occurring issues.” – David Smith, MD, FASAM, FAACT

  • Blog

    Muir Wood Teen Summer Series

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    June 4, 2025
  • Blog

    Anxiety vs Other Conditions: How to Know Their Differences

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    January 31, 2025
  • Blog

    Signs of Teenage Drug Addiction and Substance Use Disorder

    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  […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    January 29, 2025
  • Blog

    Substance Use & Addiction with Underlying Trauma

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    January 17, 2025
  • Blog

    Is Your Teen Ready for Recovery?

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    January 15, 2025
  • Blog

    Understanding the Connection Between Teen Addiction and Anxiety or Depression

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    January 13, 2025
  • Blog

    Substance Use and Addiction (Co-Occurring Issues with Suicidal Ideation)

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    January 9, 2025
  • Blog

    Residential vs. Inpatient Treatment for Teens

    Many parents feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn when their teen needs help. Thankfully, different types of programs exist to support teens and their families through behavioral health challenges.  Inpatient treatment—think psychiatric hospital—for teens offers a short-term intervention for acute crises, while residential treatment—think group home with clinical staff—is designed for longer-term care, […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    January 7, 2025
  • Blog

    Teen Suicide Facts and Statistics

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    December 4, 2024
  • Comorbidity

    Understanding and Treating Addiction and Other Mental Illness Comorbidity in Teens

    Studies show that over half of teens diagnosed with behavioral disorders or substance use issues are also dealing with at least one other mental health condition. In the realm of behavioral health, this overlap is known as comorbidity.  Comorbidity with addiction and other mental illnesses is also referred to as dual-diagnosis or co-occurring illness in […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    December 4, 2024
  • Blog

    Suicidal Ideation Scale: A Tool for Assessing Risk in Teens

    Youth suicides and suicide attempts have steadily increased over the last several years, meaning more teens are at risk now. Assessing the intensity of suicidal thoughts is essential for determining the appropriate level of care for teens. A suicidal ideation scale is one tool clinicians use. Learn more about these scales and how they guide […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    November 12, 2024
  • Blog

    Passive Suicidal Ideation: A Treatment Guide for Parents

    In the United States, 18% of people under the age of 18 have thought about suicide. While parents may be aware of the rising rates of teen suicide, many have not heard of passive suicidal ideation. Learn about the condition, how it differs from active suicidal ideation, and how it presents in teens.  What Is […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    November 12, 2024
  • Blog

    Understanding Gender Envy: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Struggling Teens

    As kids explore and shape their identities, parents may encounter new concepts that spark curiosity. One concept that has come into focus, especially in online spaces, is gender envy. What Is Gender Envy?  Gender envy isn’t a clinical term and can mean different things to different people. However, gender envy is a term that many […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    November 12, 2024
  • Blog

    Teen Residential Treatment: Your Questions and Concerns Addressed

    For parents searching for teenage behavioral healthcare treatment, whether it be for mental health issues, substance use, or both (dual-diagnosis treatment), the options can be a bit overwhelming. At Muir Wood, we’ve helped countless families navigate the process. Here are answers to the most common questions about how to select teen residential treatment. Note that […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    October 31, 2024
  • Treatment Topics

    Understanding Neurodivergent Disorders

    We’re all different—and the neurodivergent label acknowledges the unique ways that human brains develop, sometimes diverging from expectations. The term neurodivergence was coined to describe the wide array of differences in human thinking patterns and behavior.  When these differences become clinically significant—sometimes including diagnosis through medical evaluation and cognitive testing—they can pose challenges to social […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    September 27, 2024
  • Parent Articles for Teen Rehab

    Therapy for Self-Harming: How to Find Professional Help for Your Teen

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    September 24, 2024
  • Parent Articles for Teen Rehab

    How to Talk to Someone Who is Self-Harming: 7 Steps Toward Healing

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    August 26, 2024