Aloha House Review
Hawaii is one of the most highly celebrated bastions for holidays, honeymoons and hiatuses. Among these islands of intermission, there’s a recovery center in the slopes of Haleakala Crater—the only residential rehab on Maui. Founded in 1977, Aloha House serves the rural city Makawao and the urban Wailuku.
Accommodations and Food
Single-story wood plank outbuildings surrounded by tropical vegetation make up this 34-bed residential campus in Makawao. This co-ed facility looks kind of like a low-key eco-resort. Men and women sleep in separate buildings, 16 residents in each, sharing two bathrooms. Sleeping quarters are furnished with two twin-size beds, accompanying dressers and a wardrobe. There are single rooms, but acquisition is purely happenstance—if one is available, someone gets it.
Meals are pretty traditional, as clients enjoy breakfast foods such as oatmeal, eggs and fried rice (must be an island thing). Other menu items include meatloaf, pork chops and salads—there are always local vegetable and fruit options. In terms of sugar and caffeine, residents are allowed to have them but only after detox.
Treatment and Staff
The base time for treatment is 30 days, but many residents stay at Aloha House for up to 75 days. There is 24-hour clinical staff on the premises offering detox and other medical services, including dual diagnosis support. Clients participate in daily group therapy and individual therapy at least once a week. Treatment adheres to CBT and to a lesser extent, the 12 steps. Family group takes place once a week for all residents and loved ones.
Residents at Aloha House wake up for breakfast at 7:30 am—detox clients don’t eat until 8 am. Afterward, people are in groups until lunch at noon. Group and individual therapy, recreational therapy and chores take up the afternoon. Dinner is at 5 pm for residential clients and 4:30 pm for those in detox, who have a lighter schedule. Lights out is at 10 pm. Clients only get one hour of free time per day. Pre-approved visitation happens on Saturdays and Sundays between 1:30 and 4:30 pm, and after 30 days, clients can earn passes to leave with family on Thursdays or Sundays.
Aloha House employs five highly credentialed counselors who are available every day—two in the evenings until 10 pm. For 24/7 assistance, they have three techs available and a nurse is always on duty. The client-to-staff ratio is a respectable eight-to-one.
Extras
Recreation is scheduled into the day and includes kickball, volleyball, trips to the beach and the use of on-site free weights (supervised by a staff member). Residents also have the option of signing up for a weekly massage at no extra cost. There is a TV at Aloha House but only for educational movie night, which happens twice a week.
For outpatient services, Aloha House’s Wailuku location provides group and individual therapy to addicts and their families. Treatment varies, as it’s based on a client’s needs, but this could be used as a continuation of treatment for the residential program.
In Summary
Hawaii is definitely an amazing place for recovery. Aloha House keeps a structured schedule, which doesn’t allow for a lot of down time, but wisely makes sure to build therapeutic recreation into the day, so clients still have the opportunity to enjoy their surroundings. The option for extended residence and outpatient services mean clients can potentially be supported well into that dreaded first year of sobriety. Caveats: their waiting list is rather lengthy.
Aloha House Location
200 Ike Drive
Makawao, Maui, HI 96768
Aloha House Cost
$3,300 (30 days). Reach Aloha House by phone at (808) 579-8414 or by email at info@aloha-house.org. Find Aloha House on Facebook and Google+
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