Recovery Support
At Guardian Recovery – Montville Adolescent Center, we offer something special: your teen can start their journey at any point that matches your needs. Whether your teen needs intensive medical support or are ready for outpatient care, we meet them where they are. And as they progress, you can seamlessly transition to the next level without changing providers or losing the relationships you’ve built with your care team.
Important: Guardian Recovery is a true dual diagnosis provider. This means whether your teen is in substance use treatment and struggling with depression, or in mental health treatment and facing addiction, we treat the whole person. Their mental health and substance use challenges are addressed together, at the same time, for comprehensive healing.
Teen addiction treatment is specialized, structured care designed to help adolescents overcome substance use and the underlying issues that often drive it. Unlike programs built for adults, our approach is shaped entirely around the developing minds, bodies, and family relationships of teenagers, since young people respond differently to therapy, peer influence, and structure. Our care blends evidence-based addiction counseling, individual and family therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or trauma, since substance use in adolescence rarely happens in isolation.
Care typically falls into a few levels depending on what your teen needs. Residential treatment offers 24/7 structured support for teens who need to step away from daily triggers. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides intensive daytime treatment, 5-6 hours a day, 5-7 days a week, while your teen returns home each evening. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a lighter, more flexible option, typically 3 hours a day, 3-5 days a week, for teens who can maintain school and daily responsibilities. Every plan begins with a comprehensive assessment, so our clinical team can recommend the right starting point and adjust care as your teen progresses.
Every family’s situation is different, but these are common signs it may be time to reach out.
If any of these feel familiar, reaching out for a confidential assessment is a caring first step — our team is here to help you understand what level of care may be right for your teen.
Treatment begins with a comprehensive clinical evaluation, where our team assesses your teen’s substance use, mental health, and family history to build a personalized plan. From there, care typically starts with medical detoxification when needed, followed by residential treatment for teens who need 24/7 structure, engaging in individual therapy, group counseling, and family sessions. As stability grows, your teen can step down into a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), providing intensive daytime treatment for 5-6 hours a day, 5-7 days a week, while returning home each evening. From there, most teens transition into an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), offering continued support for about 3 hours a day, 3-5 days a week, so they can maintain school and family responsibilities while treatment continues. Every step is coordinated by your teen’s care team, so transitions between levels of care happen smoothly and without gaps.
Levels of care highlighted in blue are available at this specific Guardian Recovery location. We’ve designed this page to help you understand the complete treatment journey, even if some levels may be offered at other Guardian Recovery facilities in your area.
Don’t see the level of care you need in blue? No problem. Guardian Recovery operates multiple treatment centers, and we’re here to connect you with the right program at the right location.
What it is:
A safe, medically supervised environment where your body clears substances while our team manages withdrawal symptoms.
Who it’s for:
Teens who need medical supervision to safely and comfortably manage withdrawal before moving into the next level of care.
What to expect:
24/7 medical monitoring, medications to ease discomfort, and immediate stabilization. Most stays are 3-7 days.
Why it matters:
Starting recovery safely sets the foundation for everything that follows.
What it is:
Immersive, live-in treatment where your teen focuses entirely on recovery in a supportive environment.
Who it’s for:
Those who need intensive care, structure, and separation from their current environment to break patterns and build new skills.
What to expect:
Daily individual and group therapy, life skills training, and 24/7 support. Programs typically run around 28 days.
Why it matters:
This concentrated time allows your teen to develop strong recovery foundations without outside distractions.
What it is:
Intensive daytime treatment (typically 5-6 hours daily, 5-7 days per week) where your teen can live at home, at our program facility, or in a sober living environment.
Who it’s for:
Those stepping down from residential care, or individuals who need structured support but don’t require 24-hour residential treatment.
What to expect:
Structured therapy sessions, skill-building groups, and psychiatric support while maintaining some daily routine.
Why it matters:
Bridges the gap between intensive care and independent living while providing substantial clinical support.
What it is:
Intensive daytime treatment (typically 5-6 hours daily, 5-7 days per week) where you can live at home, at our program facility, or in a sober living environment.
Who it’s for:
Those stepping down from residential care, or individuals who need structured support but don’t require 24-hour residential treatment.
What to expect:
Structured therapy sessions, skill-building groups, and psychiatric support while maintaining some daily routine.
Why it matters:
Bridges the gap between intensive care and independent living while providing substantial clinical support.
What it is:
Intensive daytime treatment (typically 5-6 hours daily, 5-7 days per week) where you can live at home, at our program facility, or in a sober living environment.
Who it’s for:
Those stepping down from residential care, or individuals who need structured support but don’t require 24-hour residential treatment.
What to expect:
Structured therapy sessions, skill-building groups, and psychiatric support while maintaining some daily routine.
Why it matters:
Bridges the gap between intensive care and independent living while providing substantial clinical support.
What it is:
Continued connection, support, and resources for graduates of Guardian Recovery programs.
Who it’s for:
Anyone who has completed treatment with Guardian Recovery.
What to expect:
Alumni events, ongoing support groups, community connections, and a lifelong network.
Why it matters:
Recovery is a lifelong journey—your teen is never alone.
What’s the difference between PHP and IOP for teen addiction treatment?
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) provides intensive daytime treatment, typically 5-6 hours a day, 5-7 days a week, for teens who need significant structure but not 24-hour residential care. IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) is a lighter step down, usually 3 hours a day, 3-5 days a week, allowing teens to maintain school and family responsibilities while continuing treatment. For a full comparison, read our guide on Teen IOP vs. PHP.
Can you treat my teen’s addiction and mental health condition at the same time?
Yes. Guardian Recovery – Montville Adolescent Center is a true dual diagnosis provider — when substance use overlaps with anxiety, depression, or trauma, we treat both together rather than as separate issues, since addressing only one often leaves the other to undermine recovery. Learn more in our FAQ, Can You Treat My Teen’s Mental Health and Addiction at the Same Time?
Does insurance cover teen addiction treatment?
In most cases, yes. Under federal and state parity laws, most major insurance plans — including Medicaid and many commercial plans — are required to cover substance use treatment at the same level as medical benefits. Coverage specifics depend on your plan and the recommended level of care. Our admissions team can verify your benefits — see our full guide, Does Insurance Cover Teen Rehab?
What happens if my teen relapses after treatment?
Relapse doesn’t mean recovery has failed — it’s something many families face, and having a plan in place matters. Our relapse prevention planning and alumni/aftercare program give your teen ongoing tools and support to protect their progress after treatment ends. For practical next steps, see our guide, What to Do After a Teen Relapses.
What if my teen refuses to go to treatment?
Resistance is common, especially at first. Our staff are trained in adolescent engagement and work to build trust so teens can find their own reasons to participate — many initially reluctant teens become active in their own recovery. If your teen is refusing help entirely, our guide on Teen Intervention: How to Help a Teen Who Won’t Get Help offers a path forward.
That’s completely normal. Our admissions team will conduct a confidential assessment and help you find the right starting point for your unique situation.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Guardian Recovery aims to improve the quality of life for individuals struggling with substance use or mental health disorders by offering fact-based content about behavioral health conditions, treatment options, and related outcomes. However, this information should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Important Notes:
The content on this site is believed to be current and accurate at the time of posting, but medical information is constantly evolving.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about your health or medical condition.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Guardian Recovery does not provide free medical advice. For personalized treatment recommendations, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this disclaimer. Guardian Recovery and its affiliates disclaim any liability for the use or interpretation of information contained herein. SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Guardian Recovery aims to improve the quality of life for individuals struggling with substance use or mental health disorders by offering fact-based content about behavioral health conditions, treatment options, and related outcomes. However, this information should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Important Notes:
The content on this site is believed to be current and accurate at the time of posting, but medical information is constantly evolving.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns about your health or medical condition.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Guardian Recovery does not provide free medical advice. For personalized treatment recommendations, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this disclaimer. Guardian Recovery and its affiliates disclaim any liability for the use or interpretation of information contained herein. SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
