Teen substance abuse is both a frightening and frustrating experience that affects the entire family. Studies show that a combination of individual and family based counseling services is the most effective method to help teens get back on track. We help parents understand and cope with their teen's substance abuse.

MFI Recovery Center's caring, professional counselors help teens and their families improve communication, rebuild trust, and establish a sense of reasonable control. Individualized plans allow for more flexible treatment that can precisely meet your personal needs and goals. Counselors will even meet you in your home when transportation is not available. Treatment programs are continuously adjusted on a weekly basis to specifically target the immediate need. Combining research-based treatment with genuine care, our skilled, professional counselors work to re-establish loving and productive relationships. Families can be restored.

MFI's program is unique in that success is measured in milestones rather than the typical definition of success of 100% abstinence. While your teen is eliminating substance abuse, other success - better school attendance, achieving better grades, positively interacting with family members, gaining employment, developing coping skills - are being achieved in healthy ways.

Substance abuse treatment programs for adolescents cannot be based on a stepped-down adult program. Adolescent treatment is a specialty field in its own right. There has to be a level of involvement in the teen's life that demonstrates respect, interest and caring, but also knowledge about the world that teens live in. It's a different world than that of 20 years ago, and MFI Recovery Center's treatment program reflects the advancements made in adolescent substance abuse programs over the past decade.

Residential, hospital-based, boot camps and adventure camps have relatively poor outcomes for teens after they leave treatment compared to the treatment models used at MFI. Studies show that the quality of the post-residential treatment environment, particularly relationships with non-drug using friends, involvement in school, pro-social activities and family are critical to recovery. Including the entire family in the teen's substance abuse treatment improves its effectiveness and sustains it over time. The family is the medicine.

MFI Recovery Center is a non-profit organization that has been providing substance abuse treatment programs in Riverside County since 1972, and has grown to six counseling centers, three adult residential treatment locations, and four sober living homes (available to MFI graduates). Treatment programs are affordable and are based on ability to pay. Medi-Cal and most insurances are accepted.

Being a teenager isn't easy. Being a parent isn't easy either. If you suspect your teenager might be using alcohol, pot or another substance, intervene now.

Available at: Riverside, Banning, San Jacinto/Hemet, Murrieta