6 Best Drug Rehab Centers For Teens And Young Adults

Teen-only alcohol and drug rehab centers provide age-appropriate addiction treatment specifically designed for adolescents dealing with substance use disorders. These facilities treat only teenagers, typically ages 13 to 17, in environments separate from adult clients, recognizing that adolescents have different developmental needs, face different issues, and respond better to treatment designed for their age group.

Addiction treatment at teen-only rehab centers addresses not just substance use but also the underlying issues common in adolescence including peer pressure, family conflict, trauma, mental health problems, academic struggles, and identity development. Programs incorporate education so teens don’t fall behind in school during treatment, involve parents and families extensively, and use therapeutic approaches appropriate for adolescent brain development.

Top 6 Teen-Only Alcohol And Drug Rehab Centers

If a teen is experiencing addiction, the idea of seeking treatment may be intimidating. Treatment professionals at teen-only alcohol and drug rehab centers can help ease the process and allay any fears.

The following top 5 teen-only alcohol and drug rehab centers were selected based on:

• facility accreditation
• teen-only program excellence
• positive reviews from past teen alumni
• variation of treatment methods for teens

This list has been ordered alphabetically.

1. Caron, Wernersville, Pennsylvania

Caron in Pennsylvania offers CARF-accredited, gender-specific rehab programs for teens. Treatment at Caron is for teens ages 13 to 18. Caron can treat addiction, mental health, and a host of other issues, such as anger, family conflict, and self-esteem or self-loathing issues. Caron uses a multidisciplinary approach for a well-rounded recovery.

Addiction treatment programs for teens here may include:

• peer counseling
• adventure and recreational therapy
• wilderness therapy
• a continuing care plan

All teens may undergo detox when needed or receive medication-assisted treatment. Caron also places a large emphasis on involving family and helping teens continue studies with on-site schooling. Caron accepts private pay and major private insurance plans and works with individuals and their families to connect them with scholarships, grants, and zero-interest financing.

2. Elk River, Huntsville, Alabama

Elk River Treatment Program is a facet of Pinnacle Behavioral Health and accredited by the Joint Commission. This rehab center offers residential treatment and mental health treatment for youth ages 12 to 18. Placing a large emphasis on mental health wellness, Elk River helps treat teens for a variety of mental health issues from anxiety and depression to video gaming addiction and eating disorders. Elk River offers medication-assisted detox, inpatient treatment, a transitional living program, and educational programs throughout treatment. Elk River provides a full clinical assessment upon admission to determine each teen’s treatment needs.

Treatments in each rehab program may include:

• individual, group, and family therapy
• counseling
• medication management
• on-site parenting coaching/workshops
• 24/7 medical care

In addition, Elk River also provides teens with courses on life skills, nutrition, fitness, and equine therapy. Elk River is in-network with Cigna, United Behavioral Health, and Optum and also accepts private pay.

3. Gateway Foundation, Carbondale, Illinois

The Gateway Foundation offers addiction and mental health treatment accredited by the Joint Commission at multiple rehab locations throughout the U.S. Its Carbondale location provides residential treatment for adolescents, as well as outpatient rehab and day program options. The Gateway Foundation also provides medication-assisted treatment for teens who need it with buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone (Vivitrol). Gateway recognizes that all adolescents are at different points in the recovery process and may benefit from various treatment options. Full- and half-day treatment programs are available as well as recovery home living.

Gateway integrates a number of traditional and evidence-based treatments from counseling and medical care to education and recreational therapy. Payments accepted at the Gateway Foundation Carbondale include major commercial insurance carriers and private pay plans.

4. Never Alone – Adolescent Addiction Treatment Center, Hurley, New York

Never Alone is a residential treatment center in Hurley, New York, exclusively for adolescents ages 12-17 with substance use and mental health issues. The facility is set on a private 32-acre mountain property and maintains a maximum of just 22 clients. The camp-like environment helps teens feel comfortable while receiving treatment. Teens travel from across the country for treatment in this unique, non-institutional setting.

Treatment Options:

• residential treatment
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• trauma-focused therapies
• medication-assisted treatment
• motivational interviewing (MI)
• equine therapy
• art and music therapy
• recreational therapy
• meditation
• fitness and nutrition programs

Teens have access to a game room with arcades, barber and hair salon services, basketball and volleyball courts, a soccer field, movie theater, fitness center, and karaoke. The 32-acre property provides plenty of space for activities and beach outings. Teens participate in a daily three-hour school program to keep up with their education during treatment. Families receive weekly updates, regular family therapy sessions, Sunday afternoon visitations, and access to a dedicated Family Liaison Counselor.

5. Newport Academy, San Rafael, California

Newport Academy is an addiction treatment center for teens, with rehab locations in southern and northern California, New York, and Connecticut. All Newport Academy teen programs are accredited by both CARF and the Joint Commission. Drug rehab programs here offer a different approach, with 30 hours of experiential and clinical therapy and 20 or more hours of academic study. Treatment professionals at Newport come with a range of experience in addiction treatment and work to treat a range of co-occurring mental health and personal issues faced by teens battling substance abuse.

Just a few methods incorporated into individual programs here include:

• individual and family therapy
• body image group
• dialectical behavioral therapy
• recovery lifestyle program
• gender-specific therapy
• acceptance-commitment therapy

Newport Academy will accept all major insurance providers, private pay, and work with individuals for the best-fit payment plan.

6. Teen Challenge USA, Multiple Locations

Teen Challenge USA is a non-profit organization offering free or low-cost addiction and mental health treatment for teens at various rehab locations throughout the U.S. Treatment centers follow a Christian, faith-based approach. Inpatient treatment is provided usually free of charge, due to many in-kind donations, and only asks that program participants adhere to program guidelines.

Residential rehab programs through Teen Challenge are gender-separate and long-term. Length of programs varies by the rehab center, but can last anywhere from three months to a year or more. Students in the programs learn new, sober ways of living, while surrendering to a higher power. Some methods are similar to those of other programs, such as counseling and therapy, while others vary greatly.

Treatment methods used in Teen Challenge rehab programs may involve work therapy, chapel courses, Christian growth classes, church attendance, Christian mentoring, sober living environment, and a strong support system. Payments and costs vary by rehab location, but each Teen Challenge rehab center works to make treatment as affordable as possible, not turning away participants due to the inability to pay.

Teen-Only Addiction And Mental Health Treatment

Teens may begin abusing substances for different reasons than adults. For instance, many adults begin abusing prescription opioids due to chronic pain issues, eventually resulting in addiction.

Teens may abuse drugs for the following reasons, as well as other:

• to fit in socially
• to experience perceived positive side effects
• to feel better (from stress, anxiety, depression, etc.)
• to perform better (mood-enhancing drugs, etc.)
• to experiment with something new

Teen-only rehab programs must address not only addiction and mental health disorders, but also the factors which lend to them, such as the reasons teens began abusing drugs. This means alcohol and drug rehab programs for teens must be comprehensive, working to treat all aspects of a teen’s health.

Some issues teens may face which need to be addressed in a rehab program include:

• mental health disorders
• substance use disorders
• fitness
• nutrition wellness
• co-occurring disorders
• trauma and other issues
• home problems
• school problems
• divorce

These are just a few of the teen-specific problems many adolescents face when heading to addiction treatment. Rehab programs must recognize these problems and treat them all at the same time to ensure the teen has the best chance at learning to manage addiction long-term.

Individualized Teen-Only Treatment Programs

Individualized teen-only addiction treatment programs are the best way to guarantee a teen gets the care they need for addiction.

A customized teen-only program begins with an initial assessment to identify:

• substance of abuse
• duration and frequency of abuse
• co-occurring mental health disorders
• any nutrition issues, such as dehydration or vitamin deficiencies
• whether the teen needs to detox
• any medications that may be needed
• trauma and other issues which will need to be addressed

After this, the teen and his/her family work with a counselor, clinician, and other treatment professionals to design a rehab program that will address all of these needs. Inpatient treatment typically begins with detox when necessary and moves immediately to residential treatment.

What To Look For When Choosing A Teen-Only Drug Rehab Center

Selecting a teen-only rehab center requires evaluating age-appropriate programming and how well the facility addresses adolescent development needs. The information below will help you know what to look for when searching for treatment designed specifically for teenagers.

Here’s what to look for:

• Exclusively Adolescent Population: Verify the facility treats only teenagers, not a mix of teens and adults, with programs designed entirely around adolescent needs rather than adult facilities with a teen wing.
  Adolescent Development Expertise: Staff should have specialized training in teenage psychology, brain development, and adolescent substance use, understanding how teenage brains work differently.
• Educational Services During Treatment: Teens need to continue schoolwork to avoid falling behind, so look for facilities with on-site teachers.
• Family Involvement: Adolescent treatment requires family participation since teens return home after treatment, so ask about family therapy frequency and parent education programs.
• Peer Pressure Resistance Training: Programs should teach social skills, healthy relationship building, and resisting substance offers to prepare teens for returning to school.
• Treatment for Root Causes: Teen substance use often stems from trauma, mental health problems, learning disabilities, or family dysfunction, so ensure the facility provides dual diagnosis treatment.
• Age-Appropriate Therapies and Activities: Treatment should match adolescent developmental stages using experiential therapies, art, music, recreation, and activities that engage teenagers rather than adult-focused methods.
• Technology and Social Media Guidance: Facilities should address healthy technology use and social media rather than just restricting access, teaching teens healthy digital habits.
• School Reentry Planning: Returning to school after treatment is challenging, so look for programs providing discharge planning, school reentry support, and preparation for facing peer groups.
  Licensing and Accreditation: Verify the facility holds state licensing for treating adolescents and accreditation from organizations that indicates quality adolescent treatment standards.

Teen-only alcohol and drug rehab centers provide age-appropriate treatment recognizing that adolescents aren’t just small adults but have needs requiring specialized care.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff