Episode
Adolescent Treatment in Crisis: THC, Social Media and Recovery with John Lieberman
- Published
- Jun 30, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2678
- Processing state
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Summary
What do 41 years in adolescent behavioral health teach you, and what does the field still get wrong? John Lieberman, CEO of Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, joined MasterMined at NAATP Nationals 2026 to break down the forces reshaping teen addiction: skyrocketing THC potency, social media's role in rewiring young brains, and why the warning signs parents have been taught to look for no longer apply. John also shares what effective adolescent treatment actually looks like, how family systems drive or derail recovery, and the story behind AYAC, one of the field's most respected annual gatherings. If you work in behavioral health, lead a treatment organization, or care about what's happening to the next generation, this conversation is essential listening. Key Moments 02:32 – John introduces himself and reveals he's been in the field since July 29, 1985 — 41 years 04:28 – Why adolescent treatment's best-kept secret is how quickly young people can change 05:40 – The three forces driving teen addiction today: THC, social media, and misinformation 06:36 – UCLA's Dr. Fong on THC and mental health: the research says zero benefits 09:40 – Why traditional warning signs of teen substance abuse no longer apply — and what parents should watch for instead 26:18 – John's philosophy of staff culture: everyone who shows up at Visions shows up because they care 39:03 – The origin story of AYAC and the late Dr. Fiona Ray's role in building the conference 42:21 – John's daughter's treatment center, Spirit Mountain Recovery, and the legacy recovery builds Learn More & Connect Show Notes + Resources: https://snapshotinteractive.com/mastermined Connect with John Lieberman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/visionsadolescenttreatment/ | https://visionsteen.com/ Connect with Mark Scrivner: http…