The Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) presents itself as a solution, a lifeline for families grappling with adolescents struggling with mental health challenges or behavioral issues. The reality, however, often paints a far darker picture.  For many, including myself, these programs become sites of abuse, manipulation, and further trauma. My experience in a TTI program was a pivotal point in my life, a turning point that plunged me into a chaotic spiral of mental illness and left me struggling to regain my footing for years to come.