Fighting The Stigma Around Mental Health and Substance Abuse
The stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders can deter those struggling from getting help. Adolescents and teens in today’s world face new challenges that may exacerbate mental health issues. The landscape of mental health is changing, but we still have a long way to go to dismiss the stigma and teach our children to ask for help. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
“Research suggests that adolescents with substance use disorders also have high rates of co-occurring mental illness; over 60% of adolescents in community-based substance use disorder treatment programs also meet diagnostic criteria for another mental illness.”
-National Institute on Drug Abuse
Helping young people learn healthy coping skills for their mental illness can be achieved through proper mental illness and substance abuse treatment programs.
Treating Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
For those suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse issues, finding the right treatment plan can be the first step toward hope. There are a variety of options for treatment, including:
- 12-Step self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous
- Traditional talk therapy
- Wilderness therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Residential treatment
- Mindfulness practices
The type of treatment best suited will be different for everyone. Talk to trusted providers and mental health professionals to determine what type of treatment is best for you or your loved one.
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Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Treatment for Teens
Talking to your child about mental illness and substance abuse can be stressful and overwhelming. However, starting the conversation with your teen is the first step in getting them help. Teens might be struggling with mental illness and substance abuse for a number of reasons. Often, unprocessed trauma shows up in the form of addiction and mental health struggles. For teens struggling with mental illness and substance abuse, finding the right treatment option can put them back on the path to success.
When To Get Help
For teens with substance abuse and mental health challenges, getting help early can make all the difference. Early action can provide your child and family with a better quality of life. With substance abuse disorders under control, teens can enjoy these years of their lives and build successful futures.

Where To Get Help
Providing a healthy, positive environment is vital to successful treatment. If you have tried local options with little success, residential treatment or wilderness therapy program could be a great option. Leaving home for treatment can provide a period of abstinence that can lay the foundation of recovery to build upon. Clients often gain a new perspective when they are removed from the patterns of their home environment. This time away also gives parents and siblings their own time for self-reflection and growth. Families can lay the groundwork to create a healthy environment for their loved one to return to after completing treatment.
Triple Divide Lodge: Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Treatment for Teen Boys
Triple Divide Lodge is a combination residential treatment and wilderness therapy center for teen boys ages 14-19 struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. Our program is treatment-focused to help your child identify their challenges, learn healthy coping skills, and gain the tools needed to live a happier, healthier life. Families will also participate in therapy as they initiate their own recovery and they work to recover from the effects of the issues that have arisen. Healing the family sets the stage for creating a system conducive for the return of the client and the family as a whole. Adventure programming helps our clients build confidence and resiliency as they conquer new challenges and get outside their comfort zones.
Treating the Body, Mind, and Spirit
We view the “Triple Divide” as the point at which the body, mind, and spirit come together at an elevated point, allowing us to truly heal and change. We treat the full person by recognizing how each part of our existence plays into our overall well-being.
Body: Exercise and healthy, nourishing foods to make our body strong.
Mind: Education and confidence building to bring peace to our thoughts and mind.
Spirit: 12-step programming, mindfulness, and individualized therapy can heal the spirit and help us understand our value.
As a dual-diagnosis program, we help clients understand both their substance use issues and mental illnesses. Depression, anxiety, and similar issues can be addressed concurrently with the issue of substance abuse. We will help your child understand the underlying manifestations of their substance abuse in order to overcome it along with the interactive role of any MH issues on each other. Your child will gain healthy coping skills, build confidence and lay the foundation for a more successful future. For more information, contact us today.