Substance Abuse Treatment for Adolescents
Adolescent Marijuana Addiction Treatment
As marijuana becomes increasingly accessible to teenagers through various channels, it is one of the most common gateway drugs for adolescent substance use.
Our teen alcohol rehab in California can help your adolescent find the healing they need to get sober.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, by 12th grade, about 44% of teens have tried marijuana at least once, making it the most widely used illicit substance among adolescents. What often begins as experimentation can quickly develop into compulsive use patterns, particularly because teenagers’ developing brains are more susceptible to addiction.
At Hillcrest, we understand these critical challenges and the importance of early intervention. Our comprehensive adolescent marijuana addiction treatment programs are specifically designed to address marijuana dependency in teenagers while supporting their continued academic and mental health development.
Contact us today to learn more about our teen substance abuse treatment programs.
Understanding Adolescent Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana addiction in teenagers presents unique challenges that differ from adult substance use disorders. The developing adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of THC, potentially impacting memory, learning ability, and emotional regulation. Many teens don’t recognize their marijuana use as problematic, often viewing it as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, social pressures or another underlying mental health disorder.
The increasing potency of today’s marijuana products poses unprecedented risks for adolescents. With THC concentrations in modern cannabis products reaching levels as high as 95% in some concentrates, teenagers are exposed to substances far more powerful than what previous generations encountered.
This heightened potency, combined with the widespread availability of edibles and vaping products, can accelerate the progression from casual use to dependency. Additionally, marijuana use during adolescence often coincides with declining academic performance, strained family relationships, and decreased participation in previously enjoyed activities – warning signs that parents and educators should watch for carefully.
Our Marijuana Addiction Treatment Programs
Our evidence-based treatment programs are tailored to meet each adolescent’s specific needs, taking into account their age, usage history, co-occurring mental health conditions, and family dynamics. We provide a supportive, structured environment where teens can begin their recovery journey while maintaining their educational progress.
Residential Treatment Program
Our residential program offers 24/7 supervised care in a comfortable, home-like setting. Teens receive intensive therapy, academic support, and life skills training while living alongside peers who share similar challenges. The program includes:
- Individual therapy sessions three to five times per week
- Daily group therapy and skill-building workshops
- Academic support and coordination with schools
- Family therapy sessions
- Recreational activities including equine therapy and surf therapy
- Medication management if needed
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our Partial Hospitalization Program program provides intensive treatment while allowing teens to return home each evening. This program is ideal for adolescents who need structured support but have strong family systems in place. Features include:
- Treatment sessions five days per week, six hours per day
- Continued academic progress through our education program
- Daily group therapy and skill development
- Weekly individual and family therapy
- Regular psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Smooth transition planning back to regular school attendance
For Families
We recognize that teen marijuana addiction affects the entire family system. Our family program includes:
- Family therapy sessions
- Navigation and resources to find family support groups
- Family communication skills training
- Post-treatment planning and support
- Resources for continued family healing
How We Treat Marijuana Abuse & Addiction
At Hillcrest, we utilize a comprehensive, multi-therapeutic approach that addresses not just the addiction itself, but the underlying psychological, emotional, and social factors that contribute to substance use.
Our clinical team carefully tailors each treatment plan to the individual needs of every teen, incorporating various evidence-based therapies that work together to support lasting recovery.
Behavioral Therapy
Our behavioral therapy program, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), helps teens identify and modify the thought patterns and behaviors that drive marijuana use. Through structured sessions, adolescents learn to recognize triggers, develop coping strategies, and build resilience against relapse. This approach also emphasizes practical skills for managing stress, anxiety, and social pressures without turning to substances.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy helps teens explore and understand how their past experiences, family dynamics, and unconscious processes influence their marijuana use. By uncovering these underlying factors, adolescents gain insight into their behaviors and develop more adaptive ways of managing emotions and relationships. This approach is particularly effective for teens who use marijuana as a way to self-medicate or cope with past trauma.
Interpersonal Therapy
Focused on improving relationships and social functioning, our interpersonal therapy program helps teens navigate the complex social dynamics that often contribute to marijuana use. This therapy addresses peer pressure, social anxiety, and communication skills, helping adolescents build healthy relationships and develop stronger support networks that support their recovery journey.
Family Therapy
Recognizing that family dynamics play a crucial role in both addiction and recovery, our family therapy program engages the entire family system in the healing process. Through structured sessions, families learn to improve communication, rebuild trust, establish healthy boundaries, and create a supportive environment for recovery. Parents receive guidance on supporting their teen while maintaining appropriate limits and expectations.
Recovery Management Therapy
Recovery management therapy focuses on developing practical strategies for maintaining sobriety after treatment. Teens learn to identify high-risk situations, develop concrete action plans for dealing with triggers, and build a robust support network. The therapy includes relapse prevention planning, lifestyle modification strategies, and ongoing support system development.
Expressive Therapy
Through art, music, drama, and movement therapy, teens find healthy ways to express emotions and process experiences that may be difficult to put into words. Expressive therapy provides alternative means of communication and self-expression, helping adolescents reconnect with themselves and others in meaningful ways. Expressive therapy can be particularly effective for teens who struggle with traditional talk therapy.
Outdoor Therapy
Our outdoor therapy program harnesses the healing power of nature and experiential learning. Through carefully structured activities like equine therapy and surf therapy, teens develop confidence, leadership skills, and emotional regulation abilities. This approach provides natural consequences and rewards, helping adolescents build self-efficacy and learn to face challenges without relying on substances.
Why Hillcrest?
At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we’ve developed a unique three-month curriculum that sets us apart in adolescent marijuana addiction treatment. Our comprehensive program allows us to truly understand each client’s individual needs, challenges, and aspirations, creating a foundation for lasting recovery. This structured timeline ensures we can address not just the immediate challenges of marijuana dependency, but also the underlying factors that contribute to substance use, particularly during this crucial developmental stage.
We understand that successful recovery from marijuana addiction extends beyond the individual to include the entire family system. Our family-centered approach integrates parents and siblings into the treatment process, providing education, support, and guidance throughout the journey. We help families understand the current landscape of marijuana use, its effects on adolescent development, and how to create a supportive environment that promotes lasting recovery.
Our track record of success speaks to the effectiveness of our approach. Through our structured program, we’ve helped countless families navigate the challenges of adolescent marijuana use and emerge stronger. When you choose Hillcrest, you’re not just selecting a treatment center – you’re joining a community dedicated to your teen’s successful recovery and long-term well-being.
Meet Our Expert Clinical, Medical, and Academic Treatment Team
Our treatment team is here to provide the best care for your child. They provide for your child’s medical, psychiatric, educational, behavioral, and emotional needs throughout their treatment program. Learn more about our adolescent treatment team today.
Executive Director
Physician
Psychiatrist
Director of Education
Primary Therapist
Help Your Teen With Adolescent Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Don’t let marijuana addiction define your teenager’s future. Contact Hillcrest today to speak with our admissions team about our treatment programs. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and guide you through the admissions process.
