Mountainside Treatment Center

04/28/2026

Recovery doesn't look the same for everyone.

The path forward depends on where you are in your journey, what your life requires, and what kind of structure supports you best. Mountainside offers multiple levels of care — each designed to meet you there.

Residential treatment is a full step away from your environment. The highest level of structure, 24-hour clinical support, and the space to focus entirely on early recovery.

Partial Hospitalization is the highest level of outpatient care — built for people who need intensive clinical support but are ready to stay in their own environment. Mountainside's Virtual PHP removes the barriers that often stand between someone and that level of care. No commute, no disruption to the routines that ground you.

Intensive Outpatient is for those building more independence in their recovery. Less structure, still clinical. Continued support as someone moves through daily life.

There is no single right starting point. What matters is that care meets you exactly where you are.

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04/27/2026

If kratom has been used for centuries, why would we ban it?

Traditionally, kratom leaves were chewed or brewed into a mild tea by workers in Southeast Asia. What's being sold in gas stations and smoke shops today is not that.

Today's kratom products are highly concentrated extracts and powders — engineered for potency far beyond what the plant delivers naturally. The way it's consumed has changed. The concentration has changed. And the risk profile has changed with it.
And what's even more concerning is when these products are tested in labs, they are found to contain high levels of unknown compounds — substances that can't even be identified. There's also been detection of DEET in kratom products. DEET is the active chemical in insect repellent. It's designed to be applied topically to ward off mosquitoes — not to be consumed. Ingesting DEET can lead to nausea, seizures, and in severe cases, neurological damage.

Without standardized testing or regulation, there's no reliable way to know what's actually in the product you're buying. The conversation around kratom is evolving — and the more we understand about what today's products actually contain, the more informed those conversations can be.

04/24/2026

Earlier this week, we lost our dear friend and colleague David Majoris. This is a profound loss, and we're feeling it across the entire Mountainside community.

David joined Mountainside four years ago and in that time, he became widely known and loved by everyone he worked with. He was warm, friendly, and genuinely kind in a soft-spoken way that drew people to him. He was also deeply dedicated to his work and to Mountainside's mission, earning our Best-in-Class award for three years running.

David, you will be so missed. Thank you for everything you brought to the Mountainside community — we are so grateful to have known you.

04/22/2026

Taking care of yourself isn't something you earn after everything else is handled. It's what makes you available for all of it — the people, the responsibilities, the life you're actively building. When your own wellness is a priority, even through small, consistent practices, you show up with more presence, more patience, and more capacity for everything that matters to you.

04/20/2026

You see your students every day — in your classrooms, hallways, and offices. And sometimes, you just know something is off. You might not know exactly what's going on, but you can feel it.

Join us at Mountainside Chappaqua on April 24 for an open workshop designed for teachers, counselors, principals, and school administrators. Our clinicians will share what we're seeing and hearing firsthand — current trends around THC, cannabis use disorder, kratom, and the reality of today's potency levels. All questions are welcome.

You don't need to have all the answers. Being able to say "something's not right — let me connect you with the right resource" can change everything for an adolescent who may be struggling.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982799764471?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/18/2026

It's National Stress Awareness Day — a reminder that taking care of your mind matters just as much as taking care of your body. Small, intentional habits can make a bigger difference than you think. Here are five evidence-backed habits to help you destress and feel more grounded.

5 ways to manage stress:

1. Mindful Breathing – Slow, deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, signaling your body to shift out of "fight or flight" mode. Even 2–3 minutes can measurably lower cortisol and bring your heart rate back to baseline.
2. Gentle Movement – Physical movement isn't just good for the body — it's medicine for the mind. Walking, stretching, or yoga trigger the release of endorphins and reduce levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which is especially important for those managing stress-related conditions or early recovery.
3. Reflection / Journaling – Putting thoughts on paper externalizes what's swirling internally. Research shows expressive writing reduces psychological distress, helps identify emotional triggers, and strengthens the self-awareness that's central to lasting recovery and mental wellness.
4. Connect with Others – Isolation amplifies stress. Human connection — even a brief, honest conversation — activates oxytocin, our body's natural bonding hormone, which directly counteracts the stress response. In recovery, community isn't just comforting, it's protective.
5. Take a Pause – Chronic stress keeps the nervous system in a constant state of activation. Intentional micro-breaks — stepping outside, closing your eyes, or simply slowing down — interrupt that cycle and help restore emotional regulation, which is a cornerstone of both mental health and recovery.

You don't have to do everything at once. Pick one practice that feels right for you today, and trust that small steps lead to meaningful change one day at a time.

04/14/2026

Get ready with our Assistant Director of Outpatient Services while she walks you through what Mountainside's Virtual PHP actually looks like — 25 hours of structured clinical support each week, built around your life.

Learn more at mountainside.com/treatment or call 855-718-6521.

04/13/2026

Choosing rest is choosing yourself.
The version of you that shows up tomorrow is built tonight.

04/10/2026

The quiet days are doing the work too.

Each one is a choice — to tend to yourself, to your space, to your life. And those choices, made daily, are what lasting recovery is built on.

04/08/2026

04/01/2026

For years, Mountainside clinicians have been treating the real-world consequences of kratom use. Now, art and culture are beginning to catch up.

The new documentary Kratom: Side Effects May Include brings these stories to the public, highlighting the human impact that clinicians have witnessed for years.

As scientific understanding, clinical evidence, and the regulatory landscape continue to evolve, Mountainside remains committed to providing evidence-based care, public education, and support for individuals, families, and communities affected by kratom.

Read the full press release: https://www.mountainside.com/news/releases/kratom-film-cultural-reckoning/

A new kratom documentary reflects what Mountainside clinicians have witnessed for years. Now, art, advocacy, and clinical care are converging.

03/31/2026

We are looking forward to connecting with future team members at the Greater Danbury Career Fair.

Mountainside will be on site recruiting for a range of clinical and non-clinical roles, along with internship opportunities across our locations in Canaan, Wilton, and Chappaqua.

If you are interested in meaningful work that supports individuals and families, we invite you to stop by and meet our team.

Event Details
Wednesday, April 1
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST
Danbury Fair Mall (Center Court)
7 Backus Ave, Danbury, CT 06810

Hosted in partnership with Western Connecticut State University and the Danbury Chamber of Commerce.

We hope to see you there!