Our Intensive Outpatient Program for Teens at Artemis

When you find out your teen is struggling with substance abuse, just trying to figure out how to move forward can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’ve already asked around for recommendations and spent countless hours scrolling through articles that leave you with more questions than answers.

You’re worried. You don’t want them to fall behind at school by putting them into an inpatient program, but you want to get them the help they need right away. If you’re searching for answers, you’re not alone, and there is a solution.

Artemis Adolescent Healing Center is based in Tucson, Arizona, and offers proven, evidence-based approaches to helping your child find their footing in recovery from substance abuse or mental health concerns.

Keep reading to learn more about our offerings, and how an intensive outpatient program for teens at Artemis can be a life-changing service for your child and family as a whole.

When Addiction Disrupts a Teen’s Life, Artemis Offers a Way Back

Addiction doesn’t always wait for adulthood. Neither do mental health struggles.

For many teens, substance use simply starts as a way to cope, then it takes over. School, relationships, and mental health all suffer as a result.

As a parent, you can feel helpless. If you’re here, you’ve already seen the warning signs. What started as experimentation has become dependence. You know your teen needs help.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an estimated 1.6 million teens ages 12 to 17 needed substance use treatment last year. Sadly, many of them didn’t receive it.

Or the treatment they received wasn’t right for their situation, because it didn’t take into account the other underlying conditions that they were using substances to cope with in the first place. This isn’t just about stopping substance use, it’s about healing the pain that leads to it.

At Artemis Adolescent Healing Center, we understand just how overwhelming it can be to watch your child struggle.

That’s why we created our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for teens: a structured and compassionate mental health treatment program tailored specifically to adolescents.

This article will guide you through what our adolescent IOP is, how it works, and why it may be exactly what your teen needs to get their life back.

Is an Intensive Outpatient Program Right for Your Teen?

In short, yes, an IOP can be the right fit if your child needs more structure and support than traditional outpatient therapy provides, but the situation doesn’t call for hospitalization.

Our program bridges the gap, by providing a safe and supportive environment where your teen receives specialized therapeutic care multiple times a week, while still maintaining their daily routines at home and school so they can stay on track towards graduation.

Teens attend sessions several times a week—typically 3 to 5 days—for a few hours each visit. That intensity can make all the difference, without disrupting their education.

They’ll get more support, more structure, and more chances to practice the skills they need to thrive with healthier coping mechanisms. And they’ll do it while still being part of their family, school, and everyday life.

Research shows that treatment programs with family involvement and consistent support deliver outstanding results in reducing teen substance use and improving mental health outcomes. Artemis implements this precise approach as part of its treatment  program.

Early Intervention is Crucial for Adolescent Behavioral Health Support

A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) showed that adolescent intensive outpatient programs are very effective in reducing substance use when combined with behavioral therapy, family involvement, and ongoing support. NIDA’s research has also shown that the earlier substance use begins, the more likely it will develop into serious addiction if left untreated.

This isn’t just about managing symptoms, it’s about real, lasting recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), adolescent IOPs are most effective when they include behavioral therapy, family involvement, and ongoing support after the treatment ends. So that’s exactly how we’ve built our program.

Here’s the reality: substance use often starts young. NIDA’s research also shows that the earlier drug or alcohol use begins, the more likely it is to develop into a full-blown addiction if left untreated. The good news is, early intervention works.

But let’s get into what an IOP entails.

What Is an Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program?

When a teen is struggling with substance use or mental health challenges, weekly therapy might not be enough, but full-time residential care might not be the right answer either. That’s where an IOP comes in.

Our program offers a structured, supportive environment where teens can get the help they need several times a week, while still living at home and going to school. It’s a powerful middle ground for healing without disrupting their education or family life.

Our program is ideal for teens facing:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• Self-harm
• Substance use

Unlike in-patient care, IOP doesn’t involve overnight stays. After each session, patients return home so that they can maintain their connection to family and friends, as well as continuing their education, all while receiving focused support.

Is an Intensive Outpatient Program for Teens the Right Fit for Your Child?

Our Arizona IOP for teens may be the next best step if your teen:

• Needs more than weekly therapy sessions
• Is transitioning from inpatient or residential care
• Has tried therapy before, but needs more comprehensive support
• Is showing signs of serious mental health or substance use issues
• Has relapsed since completing treatment
• Is still enrolled in school

We provide a compassionate, hands-on approach that meets your teen exactly where they are and helps them move forward with confidence.

What Your Teen Can Expect at Artemis

Recovery takes more than just traditional talk therapy. Our IOP combines evidence-based, proven treatments with innovative and experiential therapies to help teens grow, process their emotions, and build a stronger sense of self.

Your teen’s weekly schedule may include:

• Individual therapy to work on personal goals and trauma
• Group therapy for connection, support, and social skills
• DBT skills groups to manage emotions and develop resilience
• Family therapy to strengthen communication and rebuild trust
• Art, movement, and mindfulness therapies to heal in creative ways

We don’t treat diagnoses, we treat people. Every teen’s care plan is tailored to fit their specific needs and background.

Healing the Whole Family Through an IOP for Teens

Substance use and mental health issues don’t just impact the person struggling with them, they affect everyone around them. That’s why family therapy is a key component of our program. Our job is to support both your teen and your family every step of the way.

Through guided sessions, we help parents learn how to communicate with their teens more effectively, set reasonable boundaries, and support them in healthy ways that don’t enable them. You’ll gain tools, not just for getting through their struggle with substance use, but for sustaining recovery long after the treatment has ended.

Addiction isolates. Family therapy reconnects. Together, we’ll help your family become a source of strength, not stress.

Why Family Therapy and Family Support Matter

As a parent or caregiver, you’re an essential part of your teen’s recovery. That’s why our IOP includes regular family therapy sessions along with continuous family support. Substance use and mental health issues don’t exist in a vacuum, they impact everyone in the household.

That can sound like a lot of pressure, but don’t worry, we’re here to provide you with everything you need.

Our therapists work with you to:

• Improve communication between you and your teen
• Rebuild relationships and reduce conflict
• Help you better understand your teen’s mental health symptoms and their causes
• Provide tools and strategies to support long-term healing

When families heal together, outcomes improve drastically. While we provide the foundation, a patient’s long term success depends on their support network. Friends, teachers and other adults may not always be equipped to provide the kind of support a young person needs.

At the end of the day, it’s their family that will get them through life’s ups and downs. At Artemis, we believe that lasting recovery is a team effort, and we walk alongside you every step of the way.

A Space Built for Teens—And Only Teens

Let’s be real, teens don’t belong in adult rehabilitation programs. Aside from the obvious risks, they need their own space, surrounded by people who understand what they’re going through.

That’s why our facility is designed just for adolescents. It’s a safe, welcoming, and age-appropriate space where teens can open up without fear of being judged. And parents can feel confident knowing their child isn’t being put at risk.

Whether your teen is struggling with alcohol, pills, or another substance, they’ll be in a program where they’re supported by peers and guided by specialists who understand what they’re going through and know how to help them.

Artemis also offers all levels of care for teen clients, so that your child will be afforded a full continuum of support, not left hanging and with a list of phone numbers as an ‘aftercare plan.’

At Artemis We Meet Teens Where They Are

Your teen deserves to be seen for who they are, not just the symptoms of their substance use. That’s why we treat them as a whole person, not a diagnosis.

Every teen’s journey through healing is different. Some are using substances to help them get through panic attacks, others are dealing with body image issues, low self-esteem, or the weight of past trauma. Whatever they’re facing, we meet them right where they are.

We create a space where your teen feels safe enough to be honest—even (especially) about the hard stuff. It’s not about checking boxes or slapping on a diagnosis. It’s about seeing the whole person, hearing their story, and helping them reconnect with who they are underneath all the pain.

That means having real, sometimes difficult conversations, while keeping them grounded, supported, and in control of their recovery. Lecturing and condescension don’t encourage open communication. Our licensed therapists specialize in working with teens. We talk to them like the young adults they are, not little kids who need to be “fixed.”

Your teen deserves more than a label. They deserve to feel seen, heard, and genuinely understood. Because that’s the only way they’ll be able to have the tough talks that are essential to making progress.

Accessible, Compassionate Care for Families

Raising a teen in today’s economy is already expensive enough. We believe cost should never be a barrier to care. We’ve been there, so we know how hard it is to find effective care that doesn’t break the bank. That’s why we’re proud to accept most major insurance providers.

Our admissions team will verify your coverage and help you understand your options with zero obligation. We’re not here to judge, we’re here to help. You’ve already got enough on your plate. Whatever your situation, we’ll do our best to find a plan that works for your budget.

A Note to Parents: You Are Not Alone

Watching your kid struggle with substance use is heartbreaking. It can be overwhelming, and it might feel like no one really understands.

We know it’s hard watching your child fight what feels like an uphill battle. You might blame yourself. You might be exhausted. You might be scared to hope. We don’t just treat your teen, we support you too. Our team is here to guide you through the admissions process, answer your questions, and make sure you’re treated with compassion.

Our intensive outpatient program isn’t just a treatment—it’s a lifeline. It’s a chance for your teen to reconnect with their inner strength and for your family to find its way forward again. At Artemis, we see you. We support you. And we will walk this road with you. You don’t have to have all the answers, you just need to take the next step. We’ll help you with the rest.

If your teen has tried therapy before and still seems stuck in a self-destructive cycle, if you’re noticing changes that concern you, if things just don’t feel right, you don’t have to wait for a crisis that might drastically change the course of their life.

Our IOP can be a turning point. It’s a chance for your teen to break harmful cycles, develop healthier coping skills, and reconnect with their potential…even if they don’t see it in themselves yet.

The progress is real. And it’s possible.

Let’s Take The Next Step Together: Reach Out Today

We believe in your teen’s ability to recover from substance use before it becomes a lifelong problem. Our team offers support to families whose children need therapy services beyond standard care because of substance use issues.

If your child is dealing with substance use and needs more than traditional therapy can offer, our team is here to help. With personalized treatment plans and a deep commitment to compassionate care, we can help your teen take back control of their life.

Reach out today for a confidential consultation, and remember, you don’t have to do this alone.

Recovery starts here.