Hazelden Center for Youth and Families

Adolescent clients work one on one with an addiction counselor to identify reasons for substance use and provide tools to make healthier choices.

Introduction and Basic Services

Founded in 1982 by the former first lady, Betty Ford, The Betty Ford Clinic merged with the Hazelden Foundation in 2014 and was renamed The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. It’s the nation’s largest non-profit addiction treatment center. The center treats alcohol and drug addiction, dual diagnosis and offers medical detox, residential and outpatient treatment, sober living, family care and aftercare in 17 locations throughout the United States. All programs and locations are licensed by The Joint Commission. The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s Hazelden Center for Youth and Families offers teen and young adult treatment services in San Diego, California and Plymouth, Minnesota. Its San Diego campus offers outpatient treatment for clients ages 16 to 25. Its Plymouth, Minnesota campus is located west of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and offers alcohol and drug addiction and dual diagnosis residential, outpatient and family care treatment programs for clients ages 12 to 25.

Facility and Meals

Hazelden Center for Youth and Families’ residential treatment program in Plymouth, Minnesota is a campus-based facility with separate lodging for teens and young adults ages 12 to 25. Clients are first assessed for chemical dependency, mental health and overall health. Clinicians work with family, clients and insurance providers to craft an individualized treatment plan. Aside from residential treatment, outpatient and on-campus sober living could also be recommended to clients per their treatment needs.

Before moving into residential treatment, when warranted, clients under medically assisted detox services monitored by a medical staff 24/7. Once stabilized, a client moves into one of the gender-specific residential dormitory style halls. Each gender specific suite has a full bath and a separate sleeping and living area for four clients including a twin bed, desk, chair, wardrobe and locked safe for valuables. Each sleeping area is separated by a privacy wall.

The campus includes a cafeteria in which clients eats all three meals with their residential hall. Meals are served cafeteria style and designed by a nutritionist.

Treatment Protocol and Team

Treatment methods for alcohol and drug addiction and dual diagnosis include medically supervised detox, group and individual therapy, 12-step recovery, spiritual care and gender-specific counseling. Specialized treatment for opioid and prescription drug or heroin addiction is available. Treatment for co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety are integrated in alcohol and drug addiction treatment.

Hazelden Center for Youth and Families practices evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Its opioid treatment approach is known as Comprehensive Opioid Response with 12-step incorporates individual and group therapy, educational lectures and medically assisted detox.

Staff is available 24/7 and includes physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and licensed addiction counselors and marriage and family counselors. Other staff includes nutritionists, wellness and fitness specialists, financial advocates and clinical case managers.

Length of treatment is based on the individual needs of the client. Each client receives a highly individualized daily schedule and includes a full day of individual, group therapy for addiction and mental health disorders, wellness and educational activities. Each day starts at 7 am with chores followed by breakfast. Every client’s schedule includes time for creative arts like music and art. The campus also has two classrooms staffed with two full time teachers for on-site schooling in coordination with the client’s home school.

Once admitted, clients can contact family and provide a phone number and times that they can be reached. Kiosks are available for clients to have limited access to email and client account info. Laptops, cell phones, tablets and devices with video or email capabilities are prohibited while in treatment.

Hazelden Center for Youth and Families’ Plymouth campus offers various aftercare and family programs. Aftercare includes various in-person, online and digital support resources like mobile apps, inspiration emails, online social communities and on-site 12-step meetings. It also offers coaching and counseling for parents and caregivers to reduce the risk of relapse and strengthen family bonds.

The family program is a free, four day educational and support program for parents and caregivers and adolescent siblings. Two additional support groups includes a Parent Recovery Group for parents of current clients and a Caring Families Group which is a monthly meeting open to the public. Phone-based coaching is also available to parents and family members for teens who choose to not attend treatment.

The Hazelden Center for Youth and Families offers various outpatient options to meet the treatment milestones of adolescent clients. Its day treatment program known as partial hospitalization is a five day per week, six hour per day treatment program that offers the same components of its residential program. Clients can also reside in on campus sober living quarters with peers while receiving outpatient treatment. Intensive outpatient treatment meets three days per week for three hours per day and focuses on individual needs of clients after meeting clinical milestone of residential or outpatient treatment.

Bonus Amenities

The campus also includes an art and music studio with art supplies and instruments, outdoor patio, multiple meeting and common areas. Clients can shop at a bookstore that includes treatment education materials and amenities like gym clothing, candy, toiletries and office supplies. The Hazelden Center for Youth and Families’ Plymouth campus also has a full indoor gym with a basketball court, rock climbing wall and weight station.

Hazelden Center for Youth and Families’ Plymouth campus offers animal assisted programming with its certified therapy dog, Sarge, an Australian Labradoodle. Sarge offers comfort to clients suffering from homesickness, grief or trauma.

The Hazelden Center for Youth and Families offers a Teen Intervene program for adolescents caught using marijuana or drinking underage. Adolescent clients work one on one with an addiction counselor to identify reasons for substance use and provide tools to make healthier choices.

In Summary

The Hazelden Center for Youth and Families in Plymouth, Minnesota offers detox, residential, outpatient and sober living treatment for adolescents ages 12 to 25 who are suffering from alcohol and drug addiction and mental health disorders. Treatment includes evidence-based models, 12-step, individual and group therapy. It also offers specialized treatment for opioid addiction and features a wide array of family support and after care programs. Its campus resembles college-style living including dormitory living, cafeteria, bookstore, creative art studios and classrooms.