When an adolescent walks through the doors of McAlister Institute’s South Teen Recovery Center, they often arrive carrying more than anyone their age should have to bear – fear, shame, and the heavy weight of addiction. Yet in this space, where compassion meets clinical care, a spark of hope often begins to take hold.
Across the United States, adolescent substance use continues to be a pressing concern. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, roughly 1 in 8 teenagers report using illicit substances in the past year, and the majority of those who seek treatment also struggle with underlying mental health challenges. For McAlister Institute’s clinical team, these numbers are not just statistics, they represent young lives that can be redirected through empathy, structure, and specialized care.
McAlister Institute is one of San Diego County’s leading providers of compassionate care for individuals and families affected by addiction, mental illness, and homelessness. With more than 23 programs countywide, McAlister operates two specialized Teen Recovery Centers offering substance use treatment, recovery support, and education for adolescents struggling with alcohol or drug use.
These programs are designed to fit around teens’ school schedules, providing after-school treatment, individual and group counseling, and structured recovery activities. Services are available both in dedicated centers and on school campuses across the county, ensuring that help is accessible to families wherever they live, whether through McAlister’s programs or partner Teen Recovery Centers in other regions.
At the South Teen Recovery Center, Program Manager Carly Hardge leads a team of counselors, therapists, and case managers who share a deep commitment to helping young people rebuild their lives. With more than a decade of experience in adolescent recovery, Hardge understands that healing begins with trust. Her team focuses on strengthening relationships through therapy, education, and family involvement, meeting teens where they are and guiding them toward the life they want to create. “Many of our clients come in guarded,” Hardge shares with GB Magazine. “They have had experiences that make it hard to trust adults. Our job is to show them, consistently, that they are safe, valued, and capable of change.”
That philosophy proved life-changing for one 15-year-old client referred by Child Welfare Services. She entered the program battling depression, academic struggles, and deep family conflict. Initially resistant to treatment, she refused to engage in counseling or group sessions, but the team’s persistence and compassion began to break through her mistrust. Over time, she participated in family therapy, joined pro-social activities, and discovered a new sense of purpose.
She not only completed the program but also graduated from high school – an achievement she once believed was out of reach. Recently, she contacted the center to share that she had enrolled in community college, inspired to pursue a career as a substance use counselor herself.
Stories like hers are reminders of what’s possible when care, consistency, and compassion intersect. At McAlister Institute’s Teen Recovery Centers, recovery does not begin with perfection – it begins with connection, and with the belief that every young person deserves a chance to start again.
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