It’s not always easy knowing how to help a teenager with a substance use disorder. The overload of complicated information becomes even worse when you’re trying to help a loved one suffering.
This guide carries everything you could want to know about treating substance use disorders and how you can find someone the resources they need. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at (800) 665-4769
Levels of Care Available for Teens With Substance Use Issues
There are various levels of care to consider when seeking support for your teen. Certain substances indicate more immediate cause for concern and potential need for a higher level of care due to the increased risk of overdose and withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, teens struggling with co-occurring disorders may require a higher level of care. Call Evolve’s admissions team today to schedule a free phone assessment to help determine what level of care would be the best fit for your teen.
Detox – Understanding Addiction Detox From Drugs and Alcohol
Detoxification refers to the process of allowing substances and related toxins to clear the body so a teen diagnosed with an alcohol or substance use disorder can begin treatment with no drugs or alcohol in their system. In some cases, detox must be medically monitored, and in others, detox must be both medically monitored and medication-assisted. If a professional assessment indicates a medical detox is a necessary first step before treatment begins – typically in cases involving opioid, benzodiazepine, or alcohol addiction – then it’s critical to select a program that offers medical detox in an appropriate setting with qualified staff. That’s the first step before participation in any program we describe below. During medically monitored and medication-assisted detox, medical staff are on-hand to address any emergencies that may occur, and to ensure the administration of appropriate medication to mitigate the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
Detox may be necessary when a teen is using substances that carry a high risk of dangerous or potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. In these cases, medically monitored detox is essential—and in some situations, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may also be required.
Substances that may require medical detox:
• Opioids (including fentanyl) – due to risk of severe withdrawal and overdose
• Benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Ativan) – withdrawal can cause seizures and requires gradual tapering
• Alcohol – frequent use or binge drinking can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms
If your teen is testing positive for any of these substances or is engaging in frequent use, seek a professional evaluation—such as the free assessment provided by Evolve—to determine if medical detox is necessary.
Residential (RTC) – 24/7 Support & Supervision
This level of treatment is appropriate for teens with mental health or substance use issues that are so severe they need 24/7 support and monitoring. Teens who attend an adolescent residential treatment center do not live at home and need an immersive level of care to manage their mental health or substance use issues.
In a residential program, teens receive more intensive therapy and psychiatric care than in IOP or PHP programs. These teens need time away from their current environment to concentrate on recovery and healing. Residential treatment allows for more time for one-on-one therapy, family therapy, and group therapy and peer support. Teens learn and practice coping skills, distress tolerance techniques, and relapse prevention strategies. They have time to practice what they learn and hone their skills with feedback from therapists, counselors, and peers. This prepares them for success when they finish treatment or step down to a less immersive level of care.
The length of stay in a residential treatment program – typically 30-60 days – is often covered by insurance plans that include behavioral health benefits.
Residential treatment is necessary for teens whose substance use is frequent, risky, or life-threatening, such as:
• Using substances in a way that puts their life at risk (e.g., overdose risk, mixing substances)
• Certain substances indicate more immediate cause for concern than others due to the increased risk of overdose and withdrawal symptoms. If your child is testing positive for opiates, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamines, or benzodiazepines, this would be an indicator to seek professional evaluation and to consider treatment.
• Engaging in dangerous behaviors while under the influence
• Using daily or nearly daily, with severe impact on school, family, or peer relationships
• Unable to stop using despite consequences and prior treatment attempts
• Needing a break from their current environment to safely detox and begin recovery
If your teen is showing any of these signs, it’s important to seek a professional evaluation. Call Evolve’s admissions team today to schedule a free assessment and determine whether residential treatment may be the right next step for your child.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – Full Day Outpatient Rehab
PHP supports adolescents 12-17 years old who need significant clinical support to maintain stability, but do not require 24/7 supervision. Teens at this level of care are able to live at home but often struggle to engage in academic/social/family opportunities due to the severity of their substance use, mental health, or behavioral issues.
A partial hospitalization program is a great way to transition home from higher levels of care such as hospitalization or residential, as a way to reconnect with the community while continuing to receive intensive therapeutic support and full days of supervision. These programs also benefit those who require more structure and support than provided in weekly outpatient therapy or intensive outpatient rehab treatment.
Partial Hospitalization may be necessary for teens who:
• Are using substances regularly or experiencing escalating use
• Are at risk of relapse but can remain safe without 24/7 supervision
• Have had a recent relapse and need intensive support to get back on track
• Are struggling with co-occurring mental health symptoms that contribute to substance use
• Need structure and therapeutic guidance to build early recovery skills while still living at home
If your teen is exhibiting any of these signs, it may be time to seek a professional evaluation. Call Evolve’s admissions team today to schedule a free assessment and determine whether a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is the right level of care for your child.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – After School Program
Evolve Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) support adolescents 12-17 years old who need clinical support to maintain stability, but do not require 24/7 supervision. The IOP level of care, also referred to as an “after school program,” includes 3 hours of programming, four days a week. IOP for teens is often an ideal approach for those who can reasonably maintain day-to-day activities but need more support than weekly counseling sessions with an outpatient individual therapist. Teens at this level of care are able to live at home and attend school but need extra support for their mental health, substance use, and behavioral issues.
An intensive outpatient program is a great way to transition from higher levels of care such as inpatient drug rehabs, residential or PHP as a way to reconnect with the community while continuing to receive intensive therapeutic support and half days of supervision. These programs also benefit those who require more structure and support than provided in weekly outpatient therapy or intensive outpatient treatment.
Intensive Outpatient Program may be necessary for teens who:
• Have completed a higher level of care and are transitioning back to school/home life
• Are early in recovery and need ongoing support to avoid relapse
• Have occasional cravings or minor slips but are motivated to stay sober
• Benefit from peer support and skill-building while continuing to live at home and attend school
• Need more than weekly outpatient sessions to maintain progress
If your teen is struggling and needs more support than weekly therapy can provide, consider reaching out to Evolve’s admissions team to schedule a free assessment and find out if an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is the right fit for your child.
Outpatient Treatment
In outpatient treatment, parents take teens to an office visit once or twice a week. This is a typical entry level of treatment for a teen who needs help with psychological or emotional issues, but whose issues do not significantly disrupt their ability to function in school and do not significantly impair their family or peer relationships.
Contact our Admissions team to determine what level of care would be the best fit for your teen.
Treatment Approaches for Teens With Substance Use Disorders
No matter what level of care, it’s essential to choose a provider or facility that aligns with your values and meets your teen’s specific needs. Recovery is not a one-size-fits- all process, so finding an approach that works best for your teen is key. Evidence-based treatment approaches are particularly effective, as they rely on scientific research to support the best possible outcomes.
Learn more about evidence-based approaches for treating substance use:
DBT includes a specialized module, DBT-SUD, tailored to address substance use disorders. This module combines traditional DBT skills, such as emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness, with strategies specifically designed to target addictive behaviors, such as reducing cravings and managing triggers. Research has shown DBT-SUD to be highly effective in treating substance use disorders, particularly in individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions. Studies demonstrate that DBT-SUD reduces substance use, enhances treatment retention, and lowers the risk of relapse, making it a well-supported, evidence-based approach.
For more information, visit this
link.
CBT is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. In treating substance use disorders, CBT helps individuals recognize triggers, manage cravings, and develop healthier coping strategies to prevent relapse. Extensive research supports its effectiveness, demonstrating that CBT significantly reduces substance use by addressing the underlying psychological and behavioral factors contributing to addiction. Its adaptability and strong empirical backing make it a cornerstone in comprehensive treatment plans for substance use disorders.
For more information, visit this
link.
MI is a client-centered approach that helps individuals make behavioral changes. MI is highly effective with the adolescent population and with individuals who use substances. MI can be utilized regardless of where an individual is in their change process by meeting clients where they are and supporting them in overcoming ambivalence and creating internal motivations for change driven by what’s important to them.
For more information, visit this
link.
Family therapy at Evolve is based on Family Systems theory, focusing on improving communication, addressing behavior patterns, and strengthening relationships. Weekly sessions help families explore dynamics, resolve conflicts, and develop strategies to support the adolescent’s recovery. Additional sessions may be recommended based on need. Families can attend in person or virtually, providing flexibility. Through family therapy, parents gain recovery skills alongside their teens, fostering a supportive environment for long-term healing and positive change.
For more information, visit this
link.
CM is an evidence-based approach that uses motivational incentives to reinforce desired behavior happening again. CM interventions are one of the main recommended treatments for substance use disorders and have been shown to effectively reduce substance use while promoting other important recovery behaviors, such as consistent treatment attendance, adherence to medication, and completion of therapeutic activities. CM utilizes positive and negative reinforcement as well as positive and negative punishment to promote change.
Trauma and substance use often go together. After a traumatic experience, many people choose unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use, to escape their pain. Additionally, if someone hasn’t experienced trauma before, engaging in a substance can lead to even more mental/physical damage to people and their loved ones (for example, an overdose). Seeking Safety, a relatively recent evidence-based treatment model that treats co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder, helps our teens recover from their traumatic past so they can regain the footing they need to move forward in life. Through the structured group curriculum, teens work towards safety in their relationships, thinking, behavior, and emotions.
Relapse Prevention Therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It primarily treats addiction and substance use but also is effective for depression, self-harm, OCD, and other mental health disorders. For clients without a history of substance use, relapse prevention strategies are also used to address relapse on other problem behaviors, such as self-harm, food restriction, etc. This approach helps teens limit relapses by teaching them how to anticipate, identify, and cope with triggering situations that can lead to relapse. In the group environment, teens can encourage and gain confidence from each other’s recovery journeys.
SAMHSA defines harm reduction as “a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies — including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion — to empower PWUD and their families with the choice to live healthier, self-directed, and purpose-filled lives.” HR operates with the understanding that substance use exists within society and therefore prioritizes limiting risk and negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction falls on a spectrum that can include abstinence, decreased use or safer use.
Mutual Support or Peer Support Programs:
SMART Recovery stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, and it’s a modern, science-based program designed to help people break free from addictive behaviors. Unlike other traditional approaches, SMART Recovery takes a flexible approach to recovery empowering individuals to take control of their lives, set their own goals, and work toward them in a way that makes sense for them.
The program is rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which means it’s about understanding the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and actions. By learning how to manage these, teens can make better choices, cope with challenges, and ultimately, reduce the harmful behaviors that have been holding them back.
For more information, visit this link.
One of the most well-known mutual support options for substance use and addictive behaviors (i.e AA/NA). 12-step programs believe addiction is a lifelong disease that can be managed with the support of a sponsor and working through the 12 steps. Due to its emphasis on building community and meeting flexibility, 12-step is a popular mutual support option.
Support For Loved Ones and Caregivers of Individuals Struggling With Addiction
Parents of teens struggling with addiction often face overwhelming stress, guilt, and uncertainty, making support groups invaluable. Both SMART Recovery and 12 Step programs have groups dedicated to supporting friends and family members of individuals struggling with addiction. These groups provide a safe, judgment-free space where loved ones can share their experiences, learn practical coping skills, and psychoeducation about addiction and recovery. They offer varying approaches on how to improve relationships with loved ones who are using substances. It also helps participants remember and learn how to maintain ones own well-being and practice self-care while supporting their loved one. These groups foster a sense of community, reduce isolation, and empower participants to navigate challenges with greater resilience and hope.
Check out these friends and family support groups:
Evolve’s Parent Support Group
You can also check out Evolve’s free weekly parent support group. We offer a free weekly virtual support group for parents of teens. This group is a safe space for parents and caregivers to connect, share resources, and talk through the struggles of balancing child care, work responsibilities, and self-care. During this weekly group, parents and caregivers of teens can gain practical guidance and emotional support.
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Clinical Approach at Evolve’s Substance Use Treatment Programs For Teens
Evolve’s therapeutic approach is evidence-based and behavioral. In our standard clinical model, we provide psychiatry, a strong DBT skills-training component, along with other evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and others. To support teens with a history of substance use, we also incorporate groups such as, SMART Recovery, Seeking Safety, Relapse Prevention, and others. The combination of therapeutic approaches in each treatment plan depends on the adolescent’s specific needs in treatment.
Our therapeutic approaches include:
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