Teen & Adolescent Inpatient Residential Addiction Rehab
What you will learn:
- What is inpatient / residential treatment for adolescents?
- How does Guardian Recovery treat behavioral, mental health, and substance use issues?
- Who is best suited for inpatient adolescent treatment?
Teen & Adolescent Residential Inpatient Treatment & Rehabilitation
The decision to enter inpatient treatment can be daunting, whether youโre making that decision for yourself or for your teenager. However, inpatient (aka residential) treatment can be a true turning point.ย
As an intensive form of behavioral health care, Guardian Recoveryโs adolescent inpatient treatment program offers a safe, structured, and nurturing environment to foster growth and healing. Rather than merely treating behavioral symptoms, we empower teens to identify and address whatโs driving them.ย
Underlying issues such asย trauma, environmental factors, andย mental healthย concerns are the fuel that ignites behavioral issues, including everything from belligerence and truancy to indifference andย substance use. Our holistic, evidence-based approach to inpatient care helps teens overcome immediate obstacles regarding substance use. However, it also enables them to build a rock-solid foundation for lifelong resilience and well-being.ย
If youโre ready to help your teen embark on a transformative journeyโor if you simply want to learn moreโreach out now. Discover how our holistic behavioral health care can provide the support and guidance your child needs to reclaim their future.ย
A fresh start is possible. Guardian Recovery can help.
What Is a Residential Inpatient Treatment Program for Adolescents?
Residential treatment describes a level of care in which teens live at our treatment facility 24/7 for the duration of care. Along with providing a safe, supportive environment, our adolescent inpatient programs offer a host of highly structured treatment modalities designed to foster behavioral change and emotional well-being.
Behavioral issues, substance use, and mental and emotional health concerns often go hand in hand, with each one fueling the other. Our inpatient treatment programs enable teens to dig deep into each of these facets to better understand and address what drives their behavior.ย
Our 1:1 staff-to-client ratio enables staff to facilitate a host of personalized treatment strategies, includingย individual,ย group, andย familyย modalities, all of which employ evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI). To encourage whole-person healing, we also offer various holistic therapies, such as art and music therapy, yoga, meditation, mindfulness practices, and more. And when necessary, our medical and therapeutic staff employ or continue medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to aid treatment and healing.
Guardian Recoveryโs inpatient adolescent program also focuses on whole-person and whole-family healing. As such, we foster the development of life-long skills, such as effective communication, life skills, relapse prevention, and more. Additionally, we view families as a powerful force of change. Thus, we leverage this strength via ongoing communication andย family involvementย in the form of family therapy, workshops, and parent support groups. Both in-person andย virtual sessionsย are available to serve in- and out-of-state clients.
Plus, since academics are fundamental to your teenโs future,ย educationย is an integral part of life at Guardian Recovery. We actively collaborate with each childโs home school district to facilitate attendance credits and ensure alignment with its academic curriculum. Additionally, our dedicated educators provide personalized attention and critical interventions to help your child regain or maintain good academic standing. Alongside therapeutic activities, we allocate dedicated time each day for academic pursuits, including two hours of structured academic and physical education activities.
Since no two teens are alike, no two inpatient care experiences are identical. Based on various physical, mental, and emotional health assessments, Guardian Recovery customizes treatment according to your childโs needs, wants, and preferences. And prior to discharge, we provide a comprehensive aftercare plan and instructions, enabling teens to seamlessly transition from our intensive inpatient treatment to a step-down in care, such as ourย partial hospitalization program (PHP) with or without housingย or ourย intensive outpatient program (IOP)ย for added flexibility. In addition,ย virtual care optionsย are also available following residential care.
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Who Is Residential Inpatient Treatment Most Suitable for?
Residential treatment is designed for those in need of an immersive behavioral health experience who have either completed or donโt need detoxification services. Since teens live in one of our home-like treatment environments, theyโre physically separated from the stressors and triggers that previously impacted their behavioral health and substance use issues. This separation better enables teens to break their destructive habits and patterns of thinking, providing them with a fresh start.
Guardian Recoveryโs adolescent residential care follows ourย adolescent detox programย or serves as an initial point of care. Itโs an ideal environment to address the root causes of behavioral and mental health concerns, which often go hand in hand. In fact, we offerย dual-diagnosisย therapy, a form of care that addresses the existence of concurrent mental health and substance use disorders.
What Is the Treatment Process in a Teen Residential Inpatient Program?
Guardian Recoveryโs inpatient treatment is highly tailored to your childโs unique needs and preferences. Thus, the treatment process begins with a comprehensive assessment of your childโs medical and mental health history. Our trained professionals speak with you and your teen to gather information that then helps us carefully tailor your teenโs treatment plan, including suggested duration, medications,ย therapies, and more.
Treatment typically comprises a host of individual, group, and family therapy sessions, which are interspersed with academic learning and holistic modalities such as yoga, meditation, physical activities, art and music therapy, and more. In effect, we focus on whole-person healing as well as the development of important life, communication, and coping skills to foster long-term growth and healing.ย
In addition to in-depth sessions with their counselors, teens participate inย group therapy, which enables them to communicate with peers, resolve conflict, and share their personal challenges and successes. These groups are a healing environment where everyone is encouraged to discuss their feelings and support one another.ย
Meanwhile, families have a growth track of their own. Along withย family therapyย with their teens, family members participate in parent support groups as well as workshops, which are available via in-person and virtual options.
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Guardian Recovery Adolescent can help your teen take control of their lives, putting them on a path to a brighter future filled with possibility.
Our Approach to Adolescent Holistic Treatment in a Residential Setting
Guardian Recoveryโs residential inpatient facilities provide a holistic approach to recovery. That means we donโt just treat the symptoms. Rather, we help teens identify and address the underlying issues driving their behavioral concerns. Plus, our treatment works to heal the entire person, not just the physical aspects of recovery.
Guardian Recoveryโs inpatient adolescent treatment addresses the following factors via the respective treatment strategies.ย
- PhysicalโOur highly trained medical staff continually assess your teenโs physical health and administer medications as necessary (with your consent). We also offer a balanced nutrition plan, nutritional counseling, and chef-prepared meals, as well as various opportunities for exercise and monitored group outings.
- Mental and EmotionalโFacilitating individual, group, and family therapy, our licensed therapists are trained in various methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), trauma therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and the 12-Step method. Additionally, we offerย dual-diagnosis careย (aka co-occuring disorder treatment) for teens who have bothย substance useย andย mental healthย disorders (e.g., anxiety, trauma/PTSD, depression, etc.).
- SocialโTo address the social aspects of behavioral health, we offer life skills courses, recreational therapy, and group workshops. Additionally, we foster bonds between our clients, staff, and outside recovery communities.
- SpiritualโTo address the spiritual aspects of treatment, we employ tools such as meditation, mindfulness, and yoga therapy to help participants improve with their spiritual well-being.
- FamilyโWe maintain regular communication with parents and guardians, providing updates on your childโs progress, insights regarding root causes, medication suggestions and updates, and more. However, families are an integral part of care. So we offer the tools and techniques to help entire families rebuild relationships, instill trust, and foster growth. Along with psychoeducation and individual and family therapy, we offer family workshops, parent support groups, and more.
- AcademicโRegular communication between our educators and your childโs school ensures your teen maintainsย academic progressย and can seamlessly transition back to school at the completion of formalized care. In addition, our dedicated educators provide personalized attention and critical interventions to help your child regain or maintain good academic standing.ย In effect, we strive to reignite your childโs passion for learning and set them up for long-term success.
Addressing Mental Health & Co-Occurring Disorders
Mental health disorders, behavioral issues, and substance use often occur concurrently and can significantly impact one another, leading to a repetitive cycle that escalates and worsens conditions.
According toย insights from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, adolescents with substance use disorders also have high rates of co-occurring mental illnessโa condition known as dual diagnosis.ย Additionally, the development of a substance use disorder can be a risk factor for mental illness later in life.1
Whatโs more, teens are particularly at risk for behavioral and mental health issues (e.g.,ย anxiety,ย depression,ย trauma/PTSD, etc.) given their stage of development. Thatโs because the brain is still developing during adolescence, and the circuits that control executive functions such as impulse control and decision-making are among the last to mature.1ย Additionally, onset for mental illness and substance use disorders often occurs during adolescence.2
Even though the challenges of dual diagnosis might seem overwhelming, Guardian Recovery offers health and hope via our specializedย dual diagnosis care. Our integrated approach simultaneously addresses both mental health and substance use issues, ensuring a comprehensive path to recovery. By utilizing evidence-based strategies, such as CBT and MI, we help teens develop strong interpersonal coping skills and foster a genuine motivation for change. This holistic approach ensures that all underlying factors are addressed, creating a robust foundation for long-term recovery.
Research, including insights from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, consistently highlights the superiority of integrated, concurrent-disorder treatment over treating each disorder separately.2ย By tackling both conditions simultaneously, we provide an effective and seamless recovery journey for adolescents.
Donโt wait to make a difference in your teenโs lifeโreach out to us today and discover how our dual diagnosis treatment can be the turning point your family has been seeking.
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What to Expect in Residential Treatment
Upon arrival atย one of Guardian Recoveryโs adolescent treatment facilities, teens and parents meet with an intake coordinator. This staff member will help you complete the necessary paperwork, obtain all necessary information, and document your teenโs belongings.ย
From there, you and your teen can tour the facility, meet staff, confirm academic plans, and obtain an overview of the daily activities, which include individual, group, and family therapy sessions alongside activities to promote wellness and foster ongoing growth.ย
Each day has a set schedule of group sessions, meals, academics, and holistic activities. Additionally, family members are encouraged to participate in their teenโs treatment, including family sessions, parent support groups, and designated family workshops.ย
Along with the aforementioned activities and care, your teen and your family can also expect the following:
- Personalized Care:ย Teens are assigned a personal counselor to work closely with them, tailoring their therapy and treatment to meet individual needs.
- Individual Therapy:ย Facilitated by their personal counselor, individual therapy sessions allow teens to explore personal issues in a confidential, one-on-one setting.
- Group Sessions:ย Teens participate in group therapy sessions where they share their experiences and learn from others in similar situations, developing better communication skills and building a support network.
- Additional Activities:ย Residential treatment includes activities designed to support recovery, such as art classes, physical exercise, and mindfulness practices.
- 24/7 Support:ย The centerโs staff is available at any time of the day or night to offer assistance, ensuring your teenโs needs are met around the clock.
- Healing Environment:ย Designed specifically for teens, each treatment center is set up to be a safe and nurturing space that promotes healing and wellness.
- Life Skills Training:ย Teens learn new coping strategies and life skills that will serve them well during their stay and beyond.
- Academic Activities: Dedicated educators provide personalized attention and critical interventions to ensure your child gains or retains good academic standing. Plus, we work with your school district to ensure a seamless integration with its curriculum.
- Family Involvement:ย In-person and virtual family therapy sessions foster whole-family growth. Plus, workshops and peer groups empower parents and guardians to get the support they need.
- Aftercare Planning:ย Based on your childโs needs and progress, your case manager crafts and adjusts an aftercare plan to ensure continued recovery and growth once your child leaves treatment.
The Benefits of Residential Inpatient Treatment for Your Teen
Guardian Recoveryโs residential adolescent treatment programs provide a plethora of benefits, including:
- Distance and ImmersionโPrograms are specifically designed to remove your teen from familiar influences, locations, and patterns that have proven harmfulโand to provide a transformation experience to foster well-being today, tomorrow, and always.ย
- Safety and InclusionโOur safe and nurturing environments, which are specifically designed for adolescents, offer healing, a sense of community, and the opportunity for transformational growth.
- Community SupportโSurrounded by peers and professionals well-versed in teenage challenges, teens feel comfortable and supported.
- Enhanced RecoveryโResidential care prepares teens for the next phase of their recovery and wellness journey.
- Family SupportโThe teen isnโt the problem, but the family is the solution. As such, families are an integral part of their childโs treatment program.
Residential Inpatient Treatment as Part of an Adolescent Continuum of Care
Treatment isnโt a one-size-fits-all solution, nor does it always take a linear path. Thus, at Guardian Recovery, treatment plans are continually customized to fit your childโs unique needs, preferences, and progress.
If substance dependence has developed, treatment often begins with a short stay in ourย medical detoxย program, where teens are monitored and cared for 24/7 to ensure their comfort and safety during withdrawal. Following detoxโor as an initial point of careโtreatment options include our inpatient/residential treatment,ย partial hospitalization program (PHP) with or without housing, orย intensive outpatient program (IOP). We also offerย virtual careย options for outpatient care along withย aftercare planningย to maintain your teenโs forward progress.
Our comprehensive treatment processย is designed to provide a gradual step down in service intensity. This gives teens the time to build self-esteem, coping skills, relapse-prevention techniques, and moreโand it affords families adequate time to learn, adjust, and grow alongside their teensโbefore treatment concludes and a new normal begins.
Ready to Change Your Teen’s Future?
Your Next Steps
Contact Us Today to Learn Moreย
Worried about your teenโs struggles with substance use, behavior, and mental health? Itโs time to act.ย
Guardian Recovery offers a safe haven where health, hope, and healing converge. We specialize in adolescent care, and we empathize with parents and guardians navigating this challenging journey. Acknowledging your childโs struggles is tough, and entrusting them to an inpatient program is a significant step. But it can also be the beginning of a transformative journey.
Join us at Guardian Recovery to unlock your childโs potential. Ourย admissions processย is straightforward, with our advisors ready to answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and verify your insurance. If weโre a fit, weโll conduct a brief assessment to guide our next steps together.ย
Health, hope, and healing are not just possibleโtheyโre within reach.
Let Guardian Recovery help you and your teen start this important journey today.
FAQs
If your teen continues to struggle with negative patterns of behaviors in their current environment, then residential treatment is an option to explore. It affords teens the time and space to create a fresh start. Plus, it gives families and teens the tools to rebuild relationships, foster trust, and unite in a new normal. Residential treatment is also the next step in a continuum of care if your teen has completed a detox program.
With residential care, teens live at the treatment facility 24/7 to partake in the aforementioned therapies and services. Itโs a fully immersive experience that puts teensโ entire focus on their wellness and recovery.ย
Aside from detox, all other levels of care are considered step-downs in intensity. While some offer housing, such as Guardian Recoveryโs partial hospitalization program, most are outpatient options, where teens live at home or in a sober living environment. However, these outpatient options often employ many of the same treatment methods as residential care. Theyโre just offered at a lower intensity and with fewer weekly sessions.
Yes. Your teen will be under the 24-hour supervision of highly trained clinical staff.
Yes. Though teens will not have access to their phones, tablets, or laptops during care, they can call their family members during scheduled times after a short โblackoutโ period at the beginning of their program. This period allows teens to focus their time and energy on adjusting to their new surroundings in treatment.
Each treatment plan is unique, so treatment duration varies. However, programs typically run between 28 and 90 days, depending on your teenโs requirements.
Since each treatment program is customized to the unique needs of each teen in our care, no two care plans are alike. As such, costs vary dramatically. However, we accept most major insurance plans, and both mental health and substance use disorder care are typically covered by insurance. To know for sure how much youโll pay and how much your insurance will cover, reach out now for a free and confidential phone call. Our staff can answer your questions, discuss care options, verify insurance benefits, and discuss alternative payment options if necessary.
Effective recovery is fueled by a full continuum of care. Thus, we encourage residential clients to transition to a slightly lower level of care following inpatient treatment. To do so, we offer case management and aftercare planning, which often includes transitions to our PHP or IOPโor referrals to local and/or community resources to empower your teen to maintain forward progress.
Our medical and mental health professionals work with you and your teen to complete a comprehensive assessment prior to or during the initial hours of admission. This enables our care teams to plan for and address any physical or mental health conditions that occur alongside substance use. We then integrate any necessary accommodations and medications into your teenโs care plan and provide ongoing communication with you as well as updates to the care plan as necessary.
We go above and beyond HIPAA and health privacy standards to ensure the privacy of our teens and families. If you are concerned about specific privacy requirements, reach out to learn more.
Families are a powerful force of change. Guardian Recovery leverages and fuels this power, enabling teens and families to heal and grow together. Along with providing ongoing communication regarding your teenโs progress, we offer a host of family-specific services as your teen progresses through our treatment options. Parents and guardians can participate in family therapy, workshops, educational sessions, and peer support groups.
Sources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018).ย Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report. Part 1: The Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018).ย Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report. What are the treatments for comorbid substance use disorder and mental health conditions?
Reviewed professionally for accuracy by:

Ryan Soave
L.M.H.C.
Ryan Soave brings deep experience as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, certified trauma therapist, program developer, and research consultant for Huberman Lab at Stanford University Department of Neurobiology. Post-graduation from Wake Forest University, Ryan quickly discovered his acumen for the business world. After almost a decade of successful entrepreneurship and world traveling, he encountered a wave of personal and spiritual challenges; he felt a calling for something more. Ryan returned to school and completed his Masterโs Degree in Mental Health Counseling. When he started working with those suffering from addiction and PTSD, he found his passion. He has never looked back.