Category: Commonly Abused Substances

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 […]

Group therapy is a central part of adolescent treatment at Muir Wood — not because individual therapy isn’t essential, but because group work offers something individual sessions cannot. For teens in particular, the shared experience of being with peers who are navigating similar challenges reduces shame, builds connection, and creates a therapeutic space that accelerates […]

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 […]

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based approach originally developed for adults with significant emotional dysregulation — and adapted to become one of the most valuable skill-building frameworks available in adolescent treatment. At Muir Wood, DBT-informed skills are integrated into both group programming and individual therapy as part of the standard residential experience for […]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is one of the most widely researched and effective therapeutic approaches for adolescents. At Muir Wood, CBT is a foundational part of how we help teens understand the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — and build practical skills for responding to the challenges they’re facing. What CBT Is […]

A-CRA reduces or eliminates substance abuse by increasing positive reinforcers for teens in areas of their lives related to family, social relationships, jobs and educational resources. By using A-CRA in treatment, teen boys are equipped with the tools they need to lead healthy, happy lives without depending on alcohol or drugs.Explaining the CRA ModelThe Adolescent […]

In order to understand how to handle bullying that your son may be experiencing, it is important to understand exactly what bullying is. The media attention on bullying in recent years has shed new light on its harmful effects, but what is bullying, really? According to Stopbullying.gov, a website set up to address bullying in […]

Recovering from an addiction isn’t easy. Teens who enroll in comprehensive programs for their addictions may desperately want to get better, and they may work hard to change when they’re surrounded by the culture of recovery in their treatment programs, but they may fall back into bad habits when their treatment programs are complete. In […]

When you embark on a comprehensive drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation program for your substance-abusing teen, you are opening the door to a path that offers him the opportunity to work toward a future that is bright and exciting. What defines that future specifically in terms of academic accomplishment, mental and physical health, and interpersonal […]

Getting a teenager ready to go to college can be a stressful experience for parents, especially if the teen is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse. Parents who have high hopes for their children may be devastated by the idea that their son is turning out to be an addict. Making it through this difficult […]