Levels of Care for Teens with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Substance abuse treatment for adolescents requires a very different approach than treatment for young adults and adults. Adolescents have specific mental health, developmental, and overall healthcare considerations which require specialized, age-specific programming to effectively address these issues.

Yes, we are currently in network with many private health insurance companies. Complete our Insurance Verification form to see if your child’s treatment could be covered. Please note that we do not take Medicare/Medicaid.

There are many signs that a child could benefit from professional help in the form of substance use treatment or mental health services.

Substance Use Treatment

Your teen might need substance use treatment from professional healthcare providers if you have seen them experience any of these scenarios:

• Seeming to always be experiencing impairment
• Trying and failing to quit using substances on their own
• Alcohol or drug abuse has become their first priority
• Having difficulty maintaining relationships with loved ones, friends, and family
• Abandoning school, work, or social activities in favor of substance use
• Engaging in high-risk behaviors or acts of self-harm
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using
• Consistently using drugs or alcohol regardless of negative consequences

Mental or Behavioral Health Services

Your teen could benefit from substance use treatment if they have experienced any of these scenarios:

• Notable changes in sleep, weight, or eating habits
• Loss of interest their favorite individual or community-based activities
• Isolating from friends, family and community
• Canceling plans with their friends consistently
• Academic struggles that seem more intense than usual
• Ruminating thought patterns or worries
• Inability to talk about their daily lives
• Signs of drug, alcohol or other substance use
• Signs of self-harm such as cuts, burns, bruises, etc.
• Expressing suicidal thoughts

Remember, when it comes to treating mental health and substance use issues, early intervention is key.

The assessment is the first step for all of our clients. The primary reason for the assessment is for us to get to know you and your situation so we can recommend the right treatment services for your child, whether that is at Sandstone Care or elsewhere (we can make referrals as needed). It is also a great time for you to get to know Sandstone Care as well.

Yes. We understand that many people who struggle with drug use and/or alcohol use also commonly suffer from depression, anxiety, and a range of other mental health problems. Because of this, we have a trauma-informed psychiatrist on staff who can diagnose co-occurring disorders and help address the underlying issues that often lead to substance misuse.

At Sandstone Care, you’ll find a community of people in treatment who face various challenges related to substance use and mental illness/disorders, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and post traumatic stress disorder.

However, it’s important to note that individuals with certain severe mental disorders like schizophrenia or high-risk behavioral issues like violence are carefully screened out during the admissions process. The safety and well-being of everyone in our care are paramount.

You can trust that the screening by our dedicated team, including the Program Director, Executive Clinical Director, and Medical Director, ensures that everyone in addiction treatment is a good fit for the supportive and nurturing community at Sandstone Care.

Your teen will be surrounded by understanding and like-minded individuals who share the common goal of healing and growth, as well as our team of health professionals.

Medication management can be an important part of the treatment process. If medication is recommended, our medication provider will see the client on a regular basis until an ongoing provider is established. If you would like to continue to use your own primary care provider for medication management, Sandstone Care treatment often allows medical partnerships during SUD treatment to ensure consistency of care.

At Sandstone Care, our mental health program for teens stands out because it’s specifically tailored to their age group. Recognizing the unique needs and experiences of teenagers, our age-specific approach ensures that the support services and interventions provided are relevant and effective for this stage of life.

This specificity is crucial because it allows us to address the developmental, emotional, and social aspects that are distinct to adolescents. It also allows us to emphasize family members’ involvement, as caregivers can have a major impact on a teen’s recovery. We offer individual family therapy sessions as well as multi-family support groups for multiple families to find community with one another.

To start the process, please call our admissions team at (888) 850-1890. They’ll be happy to speak with you!

If your child is experiencing an emergency, please call 911, contact your nearest emergency department, or contact SAMHSA.gov’s helpline at 1(800) 662-4357.