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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

  • 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
  • Parent Articles for Teen Rehab

    19 Risky Teen Behaviors with Warning Signs and Questions to Ask Your Teen

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    July 18, 2024
  • Parent Articles for Teen Rehab

    Why Do Teens Engage in Self-Harm? The Underlying Mental Health Issues Explained

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    July 18, 2024
  • Commonly Abused Substances

    Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    November 6, 2023
  • Treatment Therapies

    Gender Identity & Dysphoria in Teens

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    October 24, 2022
  • Opioid Abuse

    Fentanyl is Killing Record Numbers of Teens in the US

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    May 16, 2022
  • Marijuana Abuse

    The Vaping Epidemic Among America’s Teens

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    October 25, 2019
  • Marijuana Abuse

    California’s Problematic Cannabis Commercialization

    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.” […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    July 31, 2019
  • Opioid Abuse

    Codeine (“Purple Drank” or “Lean”)

    “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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    June 26, 2019
  • Parent Articles for Teen Rehab

    The Vaping Epidemic Among America’s Teens

    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 products within 60 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    May 29, 2019
  • Marijuana Abuse

    Teen Rehab and Marijuana Use

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    May 24, 2018
  • Treatment Therapies

    Peer Group Therapy for Teen Boys With Addiction

    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 […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    July 27, 2017
  • Treatment Therapies

    Understanding Different Therapy Options

    Teens in recovery need a different therapy options than adults. Therapy for adolescents should focus on the issues that young people face and teach them coping skills that are appropriate for their lives. Character development and esteem building are at the heart of a successful program for boys who want to become strong, self-reliant men. […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    July 27, 2017
  • Treatment Therapies

    The Use of Adventure Therapy for Adolescent Boys

    Adventure therapy for boys can make treatment more engaging and enjoyable. If asked to draw a picture of the room in which therapy might take place, teen boys might sketch couches positioned close to chairs. They might spend time drawing boxes of tissue resting on coffee tables, and if they feel inspired, they may even […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    July 27, 2017
  • Treatment Therapies

    Our Approach to Teen Neuropsych Testing

    Neuropsychological testing is an extensive and comprehensive evaluation process that encompasses a wide range of tests and allows treatment specialists to identify areas of need and specific challenges that can be addressed through a personalized treatment program. At Muir Wood, each patient begins his experience with neuropsych testing. Starting with this process allows us to […]

    Muir Wood Publishing/
    July 27, 2017