Families in Arkansas searching for addiction treatment centers built for teenagers have had almost nowhere in-state to send them.
That changed this month in Searcy, where Unity Health opened what the health system says is the first substance use disorder residential treatment unit in Arkansas designed specifically for adolescents.
The Residential Adolescent Recovery and Wellness Program sits at the Unity Health Specialty Care campus at 1200 South Main Street. It opened in August 2026 following an open house late last month.
What the Searcy Program Offers
The secure unit holds 24 beds, split evenly with 12 for girls and 12 for boys in separate accommodations. It serves ages 12 through 17, with an anticipated stay of four to six weeks.
Clinical services include addiction therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention planning and 12-step recovery support.
Registered nurses provide 24-hour monitoring. The program follows an abstinence-based recovery model and uses a trauma-informed approach.
Licensed special education teachers keep residents current with schoolwork during their stay. Discharge planning starts at admission.
Unity Health president and chief executive officer LaDonna Johnston framed the opening around a specific gap.
“The state of Arkansas does not have a substance abuse unit that specifically focuses on our Medicaid children,” she said, describing the service as much needed. She said community members touring the open house kept repeating that they needed the service.
How Arkansas Families Can Access It
Admission is based on clinical necessity and appropriateness for treatment. The program considers both voluntary and court-involved referrals, and works with a range of insurance including Arkansas Medicaid and PASSE.
The unit treats a wide range of substances: alcohol, marijuana, opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, hallucinogens and synthetic products including Delta-8 and kratom. It also serves teens with co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety disorder.
Construction was supported in part by a $2 million state grant. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Human Services announced the award in October 2024 as part of a $5 million package for youth substance abuse residential treatment and adult supportive housing.
Signs a Teen May Need Treatment
Adolescent substance addiction often looks different from adult patterns, and parents frequently second-guess whether a problem is serious enough for professional help. Warning signs worth taking seriously include:
- A sharp drop in grades, attendance or interest in activities that used to matter
- New secrecy about whereabouts, sudden changes in friend groups, or withdrawal from family
- Missing money, missing prescription medication, or unexplained new possessions
- Mood swings, irritability or sleep changes that persist for weeks
- Finding substances or paraphernalia, including vape devices with unfamiliar cartridges
Delta-8 THC and kratom deserve specific mention because both are sold in gas stations and smoke shops across Arkansas and are often assumed to be harmless. Both can produce dependence, and both appear on the list of substances this program treats.
Finding Addiction Treatment in Arkansas
If you are looking at options for a teenager, ask any program whether it is licensed for adolescents specifically, how families are involved in treatment, whether education continues during the stay, and what aftercare looks like once a resident goes home. Adolescent programs and adult programs are not interchangeable.
Addictions.com lists addiction treatment centers in Arkansas by city and level of care, with details on the substances treated and payment accepted. Call
800-681-1058
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