Category: Commonly Abused Substances

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 […]

When your teen is struggling with mental health or substance use challenges, understanding your treatment options is essential. Inpatient treatment provides short-term, hospital-based care focused on immediate safety and stabilization during a crisis—typically lasting just a few days with 24/7 medical supervision. Residential treatment offers a longer-term solution, where teens live on campus for 45-90 days in a structured, supportive environment. Here, they participate in daily therapy, academics, and skill-building activities designed to address the root causes of their struggles and develop lasting coping strategies. Many families find their teen transitions from inpatient stabilization to residential care as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. At Muir Wood, we’re here to help you navigate these decisions and find the level of care that best supports your teen’s healing and long-term recovery.

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 […]

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 […]

When a teen expresses suicidal thoughts—or when a parent, teacher, or clinician suspects they may be at risk—one of the first steps in getting help is a clinical assessment of the nature and severity of those thoughts. Suicidal ideation scales are standardized tools that help mental health professionals evaluate where a teen falls on the […]

When a teenager says something like “I just wish I could disappear” or “I don’t see the point of anything,” it can be difficult to know how seriously to take it. These statements may sound like typical adolescent frustration—but they can also be expressions of passive suicidal ideation, a form of suicidal thinking that deserves […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]