Many people are aware of the annual Monitoring the Future Survey hosted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This important survey of teen behavioral …
Many people are aware of the annual Monitoring the Future Survey hosted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This important survey of teen behavioral trends helps schools, parents, and mental health providers gauge the needs and resources for substance abuse treatment. The 2022 survey results offered some encouraging information, including that illicit drug use (heroin, synthetic cannabinoids, opioids, MDMA, and methamphetamine) was holding steady or even dropping when compared with previous years. Daily marijuana use, however, exceeds that of daily cigarette use among high schoolers. Vaping is another trend that is on the rise in this demographic.
High-risk behaviors among teens are hardly new. Teens seem to be hard-wired to experiment with substances and other risky behaviors, possibly due to an undeveloped executive brain functioning in the area of the brain associated with reasoning, processing risks, decision-making, and impulse control. With this aspect of brain development still under construction, teens may take more risks, such as abusing drugs and alcohol. When it becomes apparent that a teenager is engaging in substance abuse, it is important to seek an adolescent rehab California program that addresses the differences between adult and teen addictive behaviors and is customized for teens.
Teen Treatment and Recovery
The teen years are difficult. It is rare to find an adult who would ever desire to repeat such a challenging chapter of life as one’s teen years. These days, social struggles, bullying, social media abuse, academic stress, divorce, mood disorders, physical or sexual abuse, or the death of a loved one can all spark interest in using drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medicating or escapism.
An effective adolescent rehab California program understands that in order to treat teen substance abuse, it is imperative to identify the specific sources of emotional pain that may be driving it. This entails focused individual and group therapy, in particular cognitive behavioral therapy, that can enable teens to develop new coping tools in response to the stressors or triggers that had, before treatment, resulted in substance use.
Family Therapy in Teen Rehab
For the adolescent, the family is their primary source of love and support. The family provides the social structure that will be used for all other relationships to come. When there is discord in the family dynamic, it can impact the members of the family in various ways. Communication issues, unclear boundaries, lack of respect on either side, or family upheaval such as a move or a divorce can all result in teen behavioral problems.
A teen treatment program should highlight family therapy as an intrinsic treatment element for a successful recovery outcome. During family therapy, members are provided a safe and supportive platform to express frustrations, disappointment, anger, sorrow, fear, or whatever emotions might be at play within the family. Family therapy also provides a place to explore new techniques and communication skills that can improve the home environment and make it conducive to improved family connections for the long term.
BNI Treatment Adolescent Rehab California and Dual Diagnosis
BNI Treatment Treatment Centers is a physician-owned and operated, teen treatment center for adolescents ages 12-17 located in Southern California. With a keen understanding of the unique stressors that teens experience and their developing brains, the doctors and clinical staff at BNI Treatment Centers have designed a program to be tailored to the teenager’s specific needs. BNI Treatment Centers is also uniquely positioned to treat teens with a dual diagnosis, with an expert psychiatrist on staff to create a treatment plan that simultaneously addresses both the substance use disorder and the mental health disorder. For more information about BNI Treatment Centers adolescent rehab program and medically monitored detoxification, please contact us today at 888-522-1504.
About the Author
Arastou Aminzadeh, M.D.
Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh or Dr. A as most teens refer to him, has been working in variety of clinical settings for the last 20 years. He is well respected nationally for his expertise in Addiction medicine and treating adolescents. Dr. A is a triple board certified physician in psychiatry, Child and Adolescent psychiatry and Addiction medicine.
Oliver Ahmadpour, M.D.
Dr. Oliver Ahmadpour is an adult and child psychiatrist with nearly four decades of experience in the field of medicine with an M.D. degree from Sweden, where he practiced as an Internal Medicine physician. In the U.S. he completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology at UCSD, and his Residency and Fellowship in Adult, Child, and adolescent Psychiatry at USC Keck School of Medicine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We treat a wide range of teen mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, trauma-related disorders, behavioral issues, ADHD, oppositional defiance, substance use, and dual-diagnosis conditions. Many families come to BNI after struggling to find the right level of care elsewhere.
Most private insurance plans cover a significant portion of treatment. Our admissions team verifies benefits quickly and explains coverage, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expectations before admission. We do not accept Medi-Cal or Medicare.
Yes. Many families come to BNI with teens who have complex diagnoses, treatment-resistant depression, severe anxiety, self-harm history, or previous hospitalizations. Our clinical leadership regularly treats high-acuity cases and provides specialized expertise for them.
Absolutely. We use established, research-backed modalities including CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care, psychiatric medication management, experiential therapies, family systems work, and integrative approaches such as mindfulness, yoga, and expressive arts.
Our residential and outpatient programs are located in private, secure homes in Agoura Hills and Calabasas. These areas are known for their safety, privacy, and access to nature—ideal for focused healing and recovery.
Yes. BNI is trusted by the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine as a training rotation site for physician fellows to learn best practices in adolescent mental health—an acknowledgment of our clinical quality and leadership in teen psychiatry.
What We Treat
Primary Mental Health
Primary Mental Health
Our primary mental health program offers an integrative wellness model that offers high-quality treatment designed for success.
Behavioral Issues
Behavioral Issues
Our program for teens & adolescents with behavioral issues will help teach your teen healthy coping skills to build a foundation for their future.
Dual-Diagnosis
Dual-Diagnosis
The dual-diagnosis program at BNI Treatment Centers provides our clients with a foundation for long-term healing & recovery.