Young Adult Rehab in California
At Laguna Shores Recovery in Dana Point, California, we understand the unique struggles teens and adolescents face. Our specialized drug rehab for young adults focuses on tackling these challenges and breaking down the common barriers to substance abuse treatment and recovery.
Substance Use and Young Adults: An Overview
There are numerous reasons why young adults may find themselves entangled in substance misuse. For many, it’s about exploration or escape. College students, for example, may use substances to cope with stress or to feel socially accepted. Others may be trying to manage the symptoms of undiagnosed anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Unlike older adults, young people often lack the life experience and emotional maturity to identify the roots of their distress. As a result, they may not even realize that their behavior constitutes a problem. Add in the cultural normalization of drug and alcohol use, and the boundary between recreational use and addiction becomes dangerously blurred.
Whether it’s binge drinking alcohol at college parties, marijuana with friends, or prescription stimulants used to manage academic demands, the casual use of substances can quickly spiral into dependency. The earlier substance use begins, the higher the risk of developing long-term addiction and mental health issues. This underscores the need for timely, targeted intervention.
Be Brave. Get Help.
Why Do Young Adults Struggle With Addiction?
Moreover, adolescents facing mental health challenges, such as depression, may resort to drugs as a means of self-medication to alleviate their symptoms. Drugs can provide temporary relief from stress and improve the mood of these individuals. Furthermore, some teenagers may turn to drugs to manage the emotional pain stemming from past traumatic experiences.
Research has shown that young people with a history of encountering potentially traumatic events before the age of 11 are more inclined to use marijuana and prescription medications. They are also more likely to engage in drug use overall or to experiment with various substances. The correlation between experiencing violence and drug use is particularly pronounced, as highlighted by statistics on adolescent drug consumption.
In addition to using drugs as a coping mechanism for stress and trauma, some teenagers misuse drugs to attain a euphoric state, as they find pleasure in the experience. Drugs can induce temporary sensations of joy and satisfaction, which are sought after by teens who engage in drug use. Lastly, certain adolescents may utilize drugs to improve their athletic or academic performance.
Common Substances Abused by Teens and Adolescents
There are numerous widely used drugs among teenagers, each with varying effects and usage rates. Although there has been a decrease in drug use among teenagers, several adolescents still engage in experimentation with substances. At present, the substances most frequently consumed by young adults include alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, amphetamines, inhalants, and various other drugs.
Risk Factors for Substance Use in Young Adults
- Genetics and Family History: A family history of addiction significantly increases a young person’s risk of developing a substance use disorder.
- Mental Health Issues: Conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or PTSD often co-occur with substance use, either as a cause or a consequence.
- Peer Pressure and Social Influence: Young adults often feel intense pressure to fit in, especially in environments where drug or alcohol use is normalized.
- Lack of Coping Skills: Many young people have not yet developed the emotional or practical tools to manage stress, disappointment, or trauma.
- Academic and Career Stress: The pressure to perform academically or secure a career path can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Access and Availability: College campuses and social circles may provide easy access to substances.
Each of these factors plays a part in the complex web that can trap young adults in addiction, but understanding them is the first step toward recovery.
Signs of Drug Misuse in Young Adults
- Sudden changes in behavior or mood
- Drop in academic or work performance
- Isolating from friends and family
- Unexplained financial issues
- Neglecting personal hygiene
- Legal troubles or risky behavior
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Secretiveness or lying about whereabouts
When these changes begin to disrupt daily life or relationships, it may be time to seek professional help.
Why Don’t Young Adults Seek Treatment?
- Stigma: Admitting to an addiction problem can feel shameful, especially among peers.
- Denial: Many young adults don’t believe their substance use is a serious issue.
- Fear of Judgment: Concerns about what friends, family, or future employers might think can be paralyzing.
- Lack of Awareness: Some may not recognize the connection between their symptoms and substance use.
- Mistrust of Authority: Young people may be wary of programs that feel punitive or disconnected from their lived experience.
Laguna Shores Recovery is dedicated to breaking down these barriers by offering a supportive, youth-focused environment that empowers young adults to seek help without fear or shame.
Drug Rehab for Young Adults
Our approach emphasizes collaboration, compassion, and empowerment. We help young adults rediscover their strengths, heal from past wounds, and build a foundation for a fulfilling, sober life.
Benefits of Specialized Treatment Programs
- Age-Appropriate Therapy: Our clinicians understand the cultural and developmental realities of young adulthood, allowing for more relevant and relatable therapy sessions.
- Peer Support: Being surrounded by others in the same age group helps build community and reduces the sense of isolation that often accompanies recovery.
- Flexible Programming: We understand the importance of education and career planning. Our programs support life outside of rehab, including academic guidance and vocational planning.
- Family Involvement: Family therapy and education help rebuild trust and create a supportive network at home.
- Relapse Prevention: Emphasis is placed on practical tools, mindfulness practices, and sober socialization techniques.
These benefits help create a treatment experience that is not only effective but also transformative.
Addiction Treatment for Teens and Adolescents
Our young adult rehab program includes a wide range of evidence-based and holistic treatment services tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs.
Detox is often the first step in recovery. At our drug detox center, we provide medically supervised detox that ensures safety and comfort while substances leave the body. Our team monitors vital signs, manages withdrawal symptoms, and provides emotional support 24/7.
For clients struggling with opioid addiction, medication-assisted treatment can be a lifesaving tool. We utilize FDA-approved medications like Suboxone or Vivitrol in conjunction with therapy to ease cravings and improve treatment retention. MAT is always provided with clinical oversight and ongoing evaluation.
Our residential program offers a structured, immersive environment where young adults can focus entirely on healing. With 24-hour care, therapeutic activities, and a tight-knit peer community, residential treatment lays the groundwork for lasting recovery.
We take a whole-person approach to healing. In addition to clinical therapy, clients have access to yoga, meditation, nutritional counseling, art therapy, and outdoor activities that promote mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD often co-occur with substance use disorders. Our dual diagnosis program addresses both simultaneously, ensuring that the root causes of addiction are treated, not just the symptoms.
Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does. Our comprehensive aftercare program includes alumni support groups, relapse prevention planning, sober living referrals, and continued access to counseling. We remain committed to each client’s long-term success.
Why is it Important for Young Adults to Develop Healthy Coping Skills?
We teach clients how to:
- Manage stress through mindfulness and grounding exercises
- Communicate effectively and assertively
- Set boundaries in relationships
- Process emotions in a healthy way
- Find meaning and joy in sober living
These tools help young adults build emotional resilience, strengthen their relationships, and navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs with confidence.
Support and Healing are Available at Our Young Adult Rehab
Our beautiful California setting, experienced clinical team, and holistic programming make us a trusted partner in the recovery process. We believe in the potential of every young adult to grow, heal, and thrive.
Don’t wait another day to reclaim your future. Call Laguna Shores Recovery now to speak with an admissions specialist or contact us and learn how our drug rehab for young adults can help.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2020). Monitoring the Future Survey.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2022). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States.
- American Psychological Association. (2018). Stress in America: Generation Z.
Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT 
