Teen dual diagnosis treatment in Los Angeles

When a teen is using substances and also struggling with anxiety, depression or trauma, both need treatment at the same time. Treating only the substance use, or only the mood, often falls short. Blackburn Clinical Services in Los Angeles treats both together in one-on-one therapy, with family sessions and psychiatric care that can be arranged when needed.

Key facts

• “Dual diagnosis” or “co-occurring disorders” means a substance use problem and a mental health condition at the same time.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse says treatment for co-occurring mental health problems should be integrated with substance use treatment (Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment, 2014).
• The same NIDA guide names family support as important to a teen’s recovery, and early detection of a return to use as a reason to adjust the plan, not end it.
• Blackburn Clinical Services offers individual therapy, family sessions and parent-only sessions, with no groups.
• Call (888) 870-7405, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.

What are the signs of a dual diagnosis in a teen?

The signs often overlap, which is part of what makes this hard for parents to read.

• Using cannabis, alcohol or vapes to sleep, calm down or “not feel anything.”
• Low mood, irritability or panic that gets worse after weekends or parties.
• Falling grades, missed classes or a new group of friends.
• Secrecy about phones, money or where they have been.
• Pulling away from activities they used to love.
• Talk of hopelessness, or any self-harm.

None of these alone proves a dual diagnosis. Together, they are a good reason for an evaluation.

Why treat both at the same time?

Substance use and mental health problems feed each other. A teen who is anxious may use cannabis to cope, and the use then gets in the way of the sleep, focus and coping skills that help mood recover. If treatment looks at only one side, the other keeps pulling the teen back. Integrated care means the same team looks at both, at the same time, with one plan. That is the approach NIDA recommends for adolescents.

What does treatment look like at Blackburn Clinical Services?

Care starts with a full assessment of substance use, mood, anxiety, trauma, school and family. From there, your teen meets one-on-one with a therapist, in our Venice Boulevard office or by secure video for clients located in California. There are no groups.

• Skills based therapy. CBT and DBT informed work help teens notice triggers, handle strong feelings and make different choices.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Helps teens act on what matters to them even when feelings are hard.
• Trauma therapy. When trauma sits underneath the use, our teen clinicians use EMDR and Brainspotting (Brainspotting is offered in our office only). See what Brainspotting is.
• Psychiatric care. When depression, anxiety or attention problems may need medication, psychiatric care can be arranged and coordinated with therapy.
• More hours when needed. The concierge outpatient program offers about 3 to 5 hours a week of one-on-one therapy.

What is the family’s role?

Parents matter a great deal here. Family sessions help everyone agree on expectations, rules and how to talk about use without every conversation turning into a fight. Parent-only sessions give you space to plan, vent and learn what to say. Our page on support for parents of a struggling teen has more.

Where does drug testing fit?

Some families find that testing adds structure and trust, especially early on. It works best when it supports the treatment plan, is agreed on openly, and is never used as a trap. Our sister organization Blackburn Monitoring provides drug and alcohol testing in Los Angeles for families who want it. Testing is a choice, not a requirement of therapy at Blackburn Clinical Services.

When should care step up?

If use is growing quickly, your teen cannot get through a school day, or safety is a concern, more support may be needed. Our guide to levels of care for teens compares the options. If your teen is in danger, call or text 988, or call 911.

Frequently asked questions

Should we treat the drinking or the depression first?

Both, at the same time. Waiting for the drinking to stop before treating depression, or the other way around, often leaves a teen stuck. Integrated care, where one team looks at both, is what federal research guidance recommends for adolescents.

Is vaping cannabis a sign of a bigger problem?

Not always, but it is worth a closer look. Some teens vape cannabis to manage anxiety, sleep or low mood, and that pattern can hide a mental health condition. An assessment can sort out what is driving the use. Our page on teen vaping, cannabis and alcohol has more.

Will my teen be drug tested?

Not as a condition of therapy at Blackburn Clinical Services. Some families choose testing to add structure, and Blackburn Monitoring, our sister organization, offers it in Los Angeles. If you use testing, it works best when your teen knows about it and it is part of the plan.

Can my teen stay in school?

In most cases, yes. One-on-one therapy and the concierge outpatient program are typically scheduled within weekday hours and fit around school, and some Saturday therapy appointments are available. When clinically appropriate, we can provide documentation for your teen’s school.

Talk with us about your teen

If your teen is using and you also see anxiety, sadness or trauma underneath, call Blackburn Clinical Services at (888) 870-7405, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. We will help you understand what is happening and how to treat both together.