In-Network With Most Commercial Insurers
*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal
Treatment for Teen Substance Use
When a teen’s substance use begins to escalate, it can feel overwhelming and challenging to manage. What may start as experimentation can develop into patterns that impact school performance, relationships, emotional well-being, and safety. In these situations, timing matters—addressing concerns before behaviors become more established can support more effective stabilization and better long-term outcomes.
Muir Wood Healthcare provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for adolescents ages 12–17 facing substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges. Our residential and intensive outpatient programs are designed to interrupt escalating patterns, address underlying emotional and behavioral needs, and support healthier decision-making that promotes long-term recovery and growth.
Our specialized clinical team works exclusively with adolescents and understands the complexity of teen substance use, brain development, and co-occurring disorders. Through an integrated model that combines therapy, psychiatry, academics, and family involvement, we help teens rebuild stability while equipping families with the tools and confidence needed to support ongoing progress.
If you’re unsure whether treatment is the right step—or how urgent the situation may be—you don’t have to navigate these decisions alone. Our team is here to listen, provide clarity, and help you determine the most appropriate level of care for your teen.
The Muir Wood Teen Difference
Our team partners closely with parents and caregivers from day one—providing clear communication, a personalized plan, and practical tools for life after treatment. While teens receive structured, therapeutic support in a peer environment, families are equipped alongside them to support continued progress and lasting change.
Some of our key differentiators include:
Specialists in Adolescent Care
Everything we do is built for teens ages 12–17, not adapted from adult models. Our team includes board-certified psychiatrists, highly trained therapists, nurses, educators, and recovery counselors who specialize exclusively in adolescent mental health and substance use treatment. Working as an integrated team, they deliver evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care tailored to each teen’s unique needs.
Community and Connection
Our program supports coordinated, therapist-led group therapy alongside meaningful peer interaction. Teens build trust, communication, and coping skills through shared therapeutic experiences and real-time practice. Individual therapy provides personalized support to deepen insight and help teens apply these skills beyond treatment, supporting lasting emotional growth and stability.
Expertise in Primary Mental Health + Substance Use
With expertise in treating both primary mental health and co-occurring substance use challenges, our trauma-informed approach helps teens heal deeply and build lasting change. We focus on the whole person—addressing both emotional wellbeing and underlying behavioral patterns—to support lifelong healing.
Support for the Whole Family
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens together. At Muir Wood, families stay actively involved through therapy, education, and a 16-week aftercare coaching program that builds trust, communication, and stability long after treatment ends. Our depth of experience working with adolescents and families allows us to anticipate challenges, guide meaningful change, and support progress well beyond discharge.
Accessible, High-Quality Care Covered by Insurance
Muir Wood is committed to removing financial barriers to care by partnering with most major insurance providers, ensuring families can access high-quality, evidence-based treatment when it matters most.
Stay in School While Getting Support
School stays the priority. Whether in residential treatment or IOP, teens can keep up to date with education. We help them map assignments, manage stress, and practice executive functioning skills such as planning, time management, and communication. When helpful, we coordinate with families and schools so gains in treatment carry into the classroom and daily routines.
Continuum of Care
We believe strong outcomes depend on continuity and collaboration. From admission through discharge, we coordinate closely with your teen’s existing providers and aftercare programs—whether that’s Muir Wood residential, our IOP, or another trusted outpatient partner. Shared clinical leadership and consistent therapeutic philosophy ensure each teen’s progress continues without interruption.
Speak With a Teen Treatment Specialist
Connect with our admissions team today to learn how Muir Wood can support your family.
Accreditations
Signs of Addiction in Teens
Most teens who arrive at Muir Wood have already been struggling for some time. Parents have often tried therapy, made changes at home, or worked with school counselors—yet their teen’s challenges have continued to escalate. Understanding the signs of substance use and mental health distress can help you recognize when it may be time to consider a higher level of care.
Signs that may indicate your teen is struggling include:
- Sudden or persistent changes in mood, energy, or personality
- Academic decline, difficulty concentrating, or school avoidance
- Continued substance use despite negative consequences
- Sleep disruptions—sleeping too little or far more than usual
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed
- Increased secrecy, defensiveness, or dishonesty
- Risk-taking behaviors, including self-harm or expressions of suicidal thoughts
Why Timely Intervention Matters
The earlier teens receive the right level of support, the better their chances for lasting recovery. Remaining in care that isn’t meeting their needs can allow patterns to become more entrenched. If you’re unsure whether your teen needs more support, our admissions team can help you understand your options.
When to Consider a Higher Level of Care
Substance use in teens is rarely just about the substance—it’s often an attempt to cope with underlying emotional pain like anxiety, depression, or trauma. Effective treatment addresses what’s driving the behavior, not just the behavior itself.
If your teen is showing a consistent pattern of the signs above—especially if weekly therapy, IOP, or family support haven’t led to lasting improvement—a more intensive level of care may be needed. Residential treatment provides 24/7 structure and clinical support, giving teens space to stabilize away from daily triggers. IOP offers structured therapeutic support several times per week while allowing teens to remain at home, either as a step-up from therapy or step-down from residential care.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Options
At our teen rehab centers, recovery means more than abstaining—it means addressing the underlying mental health and trauma challenges that comp. We treat both substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions together, helping teens find stability, confidence, and purpose.
We provide targeted care for teens struggling with:
Alcohol
Teens explore how alcohol use affects judgment, mood, and peer relationships while practicing healthier ways to cope.
Marijuana
We help teens regain focus and motivation by addressing the cognitive and emotional effects of cannabis use.
Stimulants
Treatment supports the body and mind in reestablishing calm, rest, and consistency after stimulant-related burnout.
Opioids
Teens receive comprehensive clinical and therapeutic care, including round-the-clock supervision, to support safe recovery and emotional regulation.
Our multidisciplinary team ensures your teen receives the right level of care—addressing addiction, co-occurring mental health, and the family systems that sustain recovery.
Northern California — Sonoma County
Lohrman Campus for Girls
Mental health and substance use care for teen girls on a tranquil Petaluma property within Sonoma County, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills.
Skillman Campus for Boys
Dual-diagnosis treatment for teen boys—mental health and substance use care on a serene Petaluma property in lovely Sonoma County.
Fresno/Clovis — Central California
Makena Campus for Girls
Teen girls receive dual-diagnosis care for mental health and substance use challenges in Clovis—a tranquil foothill setting at the gateway to California’s majestic Sierra Nevada.
Arlington Heights Area — Southern California
When to Seek Help For Your Teen’s Substance Use
Teens may turn to substances for many reasons—stress at school or home, peer pressure, or difficulty managing emotions they don’t fully understand. Often, substance use is an attempt to cope with underlying mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma. When a teen relies on substances to manage how they feel, it’s a sign they need support addressing what’s beneath the surface.
If weekly therapy or other interventions haven’t led to lasting change—or if your teen’s substance use is escalating despite your best efforts—it may be time to consider a higher level of care. Residential treatment offers 24/7 structure and separation from triggers, giving teens the space to stabilize and develop healthier coping skills. IOP provides structured support several times per week while allowing teens to stay at home, and can serve as a step-up from therapy or a step-down from residential care.
The earlier teens receive the right level of support, the stronger the foundation for lasting recovery. If you’re concerned about your teen’s substance use, reaching out now is the right step. Our admissions team can help you understand your options and find the level of care that fits your teen’s needs.
Learn about Muir Wood
or contact our admissions team today.
Treating Teen Drug & Alcohol Addiction
Depending on the severity of your teen’s alcohol or drug use, we provide residential treatment and outpatient options like intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization. This approach allows each teen to receive the guidance and support they need for a healthier, substance-free future.
- Residential Treatment – Teens live on campus with 24/7 monitoring and support. The environment is home-like, allowing teens to participate in individual and group therapy, mindfulness, experiential exercises, and academic support. During their stay, teens will connect with professionals and peers, learning how to identify the root cause of their addiction and manage cravings. Family support is also essential in the process of helping parents understand their teen’s addiction and how to support them during and after treatment. The typical length of stay ranges from 6 to 8 weeks
- Intensive Outpatient Program: IOP is ideal for teens who need structured support but can safely live at home. The program typically lasts about 12 weeks, with sessions 3-4 days per week. During this time, teens receive individualized support, participate in skill-building groups, and continue attending school. IOP is an excellent option when transitioning from residential treatment, providing ongoing structure and development to support a teen’s recovery journey.
Our Approach to Care
Lasting recovery from substance misuse requires compassion, teamwork, and tailored support. At Muir Wood Teen, we provide a nurturing environment where teens feel safe, respected, and understood. Adolescents learn from skilled professionals and participate in peer support groups to build coping strategies for addressing substance use and underlying mental health challenges. Our focus is on empowering young people to rebuild relationships and restore their self-confidence.
The team at Muir Wood Teen specializes in youth substance abuse treatment, ensuring each teen receives the appropriate level of care. Our evidence-based approaches include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Exposure Therapy
Experiential and Mindfulness Activities
Psychoeducation
Family therapy
Collaboration and communication are the foundation of our care approach. Our team works together to develop comprehensive, personalized treatment plans for each teen. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where teens can heal, grow, and develop the skills needed for a healthy, substance-free future.
Muir Wood Treatment Center Reviews
Read about Muir Wood experiences from a parent who has been through it. Read these and other reviews from real parents of Muir Wood alumni. If you would like to speak to an alumni parent, contact us and we’ll arrange it.
“Ruby had a very positive experience overall both times. Many programs make lots of promises and don’t deliver. Muir wood was a transformational experience for Ruby and I think the experience of being part of a community of peers was especially helpful. I’m a mental health professional myself and have already recommended Muir Wood to friends with teens who are struggling.”
Sasha A. Blum – September 2023
“From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt like part of a supportive com- munity dedicated to helping teens thrive. The staff here are compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly invested in the wellbeing of every teen in their care. The programs are tailored to address the needs of each individual, providing a safe space for growth and healing. I highly recommend this center to any parent seeking top-notch care.”
Krista Merlino – May 2024
“Our child had medication resistant severe depression. Muir Wood helped find the right medication and provided a supportive environment, over Covid, no less. My child is thriving and we both agree that even though it was a hard period, it was the best choice to get them treatment. The tutors worked with his teachers and he maintained a 4.0 while getting better.”
Tomasina Burgess – June 2024
“There really are other families that are struggling in more or less the same ways that we are,” she shares in the video below. “I think there’s a way that addiction can make people feel like it’s only happening to them, and it’s really not. It’s behind so many closed doors. And I only wish that more people would come out and get the help that they deserve and that is there to be had. I’m really grateful we found it.”
Katie F. – June 2024
“This program was really wonderful for our daughter and our family as a whole. We love the parent classes and the parent support group. L. loved most of the staff and made some great friends with other girls in the program. The communication between staff and parents is excellent.”
Ilene G. – Oct 2025
My daughter is at the Petaluma Site. She has been there for about 40 days and the therapist has been very communicative. I feel apart of her treatment and have been updated weekly as well as a fast response anytime I have had questions. The support has been great and I love the parent classes. I have learned a lot in this time.
Angela R. – Oct 2025
Co-Occurring Disorders
At Muir Wood Teen, we understand that ongoing recovery support requires treating both substance use and mental health issues simultaneously. Our team performs detailed assessments to detect any co-occurring conditions, allowing us to create personalized treatment plans that incorporate a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to each adolescent’s unique needs.
Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are essential in substance use and mental health treatment. We also use a trauma-informed approach to help uncover past trauma and emotional distress. Co-occurring conditions that we address include:
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Bi-Polar Disorder
- Trauma and PTSD
- ADHD
- OCD
- Disordered Eating
- Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
Throughout treatment, our team monitors progress to help adjust treatment plans and plan for the next steps following treatment.
Muir Wood Supports the Entire Family
Addiction is a family disease; therefore, treatment and lasting sobriety require family support. From intake to discharge, families will participate in treatment. Family sessions allow family members a safe space to learn about and discuss the addiction, how it affects the family, and develop coping skills to manage challenges that come with addiction.
We provide a 16-week parent coaching program at no additional cost. Our alumni community helps keep families engaged, connected, and informed. We also collaborate with external providers to ensure your teen has ongoing support.
