Seeking a Therapeutic Outpatient Program
Parent Q&A
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Intensive outpatient programs for 14YO's cannabis use
–Jan 24, 2024Our 14yo has gone hard for cannabis. We've been through a ringer this school year already, and at this point I'm concerned for his safety. He's consuming 50-100mg edibles regularly, and I don't think his brain can take it.
I think he would really benefit from an intensive outpatient program. He spent most of his life in foster care and has only recently been adopted, so I'm not willing to send him away.
I know a teen who was in the Partial Hospitalization program for depression at Edgewood and got a lot out of it. I want to find something similar on this side of the bay, and we're dealing primarily with addiction not depression.
Has your family been through Edgewood's program? Other tips on intensive programs that aren't inpatient?
Jan 24, 2024Seeking Teen Substance Outpatient program
–Jan 5, 2022Hello, we are seeking an East Bay outpatient substance program for our 15 year old daughter. We don't belong to Kaiser but do have a PPO that is quite flexible. She was previously doing your usual variety of Bay Area substances common to teens. She has stopped but still is very involved with a scene of kids who regularly use substances, so she needs reinforcement in her decisions and a broader understanding of the substance scene. She is fine with being tested regularly. I know that Thunder Road used to serve this function but hear that their staffing/structure has changed and we have some concerns. If you're not aware of an East Bay program, we are happy hearing about broader Bay Area programs that use zoom or even national ones. Driving into Contra Costa also works for us. I'm also wondering if people have experience with the UCSF YOSUP program. I would really appreciate any detail you can include in your response and am grateful for any suggestions you have. Thanks so much for your help!
Jan 5, 2022
Hi--
I am sorry that your son is struggling. It can be so exhausting/demoralizing/frustrating to find appropriate resources for teen mental health. We have had good experience with Bay Area Clinical Associates in the East Bay. They do have a primary mental health focus, but I believe they can provide an initial assessment and recommendation to other local resources if appropriate.
A few other places that we have had positive experiences with are Coyote Coast,Team Wonder, and Evolve Treatment Centers (I believe they now have IOP or PHP services in the East Bay). Good luck!
Look at Evolve in Danville. They have an IOP that's 5 days per week after school. I think from 3-7 most days, Fridays are shorter. With parent meetings every week as well. Also look at Seneca Family of Agencies. They have a 2 week IOP that's all day. Both of these would need to be recommended by your son's doctor, but if you contact them they can get the ball rolling. Also Kaiser has an abstinence program that is 12 weeks long, 2x per week but you'd have to have Kaiser.
I heard Brian Post as a keynote speaker at the 2021 California Adoption Conference. His website for the Post Institute can be found at https://postinstitute.com/ and his book, From Fear to Love (which I have read), may also be of help in your family's situation.
I too have an adopted child and understand your reticence to “sending him away”. However the road he is on could very well lead to cannabis induced psychosis. My child has done PHP for mental health issues here at Herrick and I know others who have done it in Concord. I would not recommend either especially for substance use. In regards to substance abuse an important factor is to remove the person from the situation and friends that is causing this. There are many reputable short term programs 30-90 days. I would definitely look into that unless your child is really wanting to get clean.
I’m so sorry he’s going through this, sounds very difficult and it’s no surprise you’re concerned. I don’t have a specific referral but have a recommendation for finding one: Because he was adopted from foster care, he should have a post adoption social worker with the county from which you adopted. I recommend you contact the social worker for resources, even better if they can refer you to something that’s adoption-specific. Best wishes to you.
I’m so sorry. My 16 yr old was almost this addicted. The only thing that helped was cutting off all access to money (credit card isn’t allowed at weed store but ATM is) & then a semester abroad.
Here's what I've tried already:
Here's what is still on my list: