Substance use often co-occurs with mental health issues. At an integrated dual-diagnosis treatment program, substance use interventions are addressed alongside mental illness support. This provides comprehensive, consistent care while reducing the risk of relapse and increasing a teen’s overall wellness. If your teen is struggling with a mental health disorder alongside substance use, learn more about our integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders.
What Is an Integrated Treatment Plan?
At one time, the fields of substance use treatment and adolescent mental health treatment were kept separate. Teens who had a drug or alcohol use problem had to go through treatment for their addiction before getting treatment for depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, or a personality disorder. In many cases, teenagers who went through drug or alcohol rehab received no treatment for their co-occurring mental illness. In fact, there was a good chance that the mental health condition wouldn’t be accurately diagnosed at all.
What Does an Integrated Treatment Program Look Like?
Despite the prevalence of dual-diagnosis disorders among adolescents, few quality rehabilitation programs in the U.S. offer specialized, integrated care for teens. As you search for treatment facilities, look for:
- Cross-trained staff: Psychologists, therapists, counselors, and social workers have training and experience in both adolescent addiction treatment and adolescent mental health care.
- A single location: Teens in integrated treatment programs receive care for substance use disorders and mental health issues in the same facility, rather than going back and forth between different treatment centers.
- Customized treatment plans: Substance use treatment must be tailored to the needs of a teen with a dual diagnosis in order for rehabilitation to be effective. Teens with depression, anxiety, trauma, or personality disorders may need more time and individualized attention to succeed at recovery.
- Dedicated support groups: Peer support is a vital component of any substance use treatment program. As part of an integrated treatment plan, teens can attend support groups that are designed for dual-diagnosis treatment. 12-Step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous offer meetings in which members can share their experiences in coping with both addiction and mental illness.
All these factors indicate that a facility has the experience and skills for meaningful dual-diagnosis treatment. By investigating a program’s structure, you can find quality care that properly addresses your adolescent’s treatment needs.
How Do You Find an Integrated Treatment Program for Teens?
You’ll also want to keep the unique needs of 12-17-year-olds in mind as you look for a program. As you compare treatment facilities, look at how each is equipped to deal with adolescents. You might ask:
- Is the program specifically designed to deliver integrated care for a teen with a dual diagnosis?
- Is the program tailored to the psychological, emotional, and physical needs of teens ages 12-17?
- Are therapists and counselors specially trained in evidence-based adolescent psychiatric treatment, as well as addiction and substance use care?
- Do the treatment professionals work as a closely coordinated team to ensure strong continuity of care?
- Does the facility offer a full range of activities and experiential therapies that broaden beyond and support the clinical modalities?
Teenagers who live with overwhelming anxiety, fear, compulsive behavior, or a personality or mood disorder need help from supportive, compassionate professionals. At Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services, integrated treatment is tailored for each teenager and features a whole-person approach to addressing mental and physical well-being.
With years of experience treating adolescents, we’ve developed evidence-based therapeutic approaches that greatly enhance our young clients’ recovery.
How Can Muir Wood’s Integrated Treatment Services Help?
Muir Wood is an integrated dual-diagnosis treatment facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17. We emphasize evidence-based integrated care, psychological testing, and family counseling to help our clients succeed in the recovery process. If it’s time to find an integrated treatment program for your teen, call our admissions counselors at 866-705-0828 or use our online contact form at any time. We’re here to help you and your teen build a bright, positive future.