The Basics
Established in 1976, Ku Aloha Ola Mau provides outpatient treatment to adults suffering from chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders at locations in Honolulu, Hilo and Puna, Hawaii. In addition to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and outpatient programs, it offers Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) using methadone and Suboxone at both the Honolulu and Hilo facilities. The medications are prescribed to assist clients during opiate detox and treatment. While they are commonly used to wean clients off heroin and other opioids such as Vicodin and OxyContin and ease withdrawal symptoms, caution must be taken with these medications. Clients should always inform their health care providers if they are taking any other prescriptions because methadone and Suboxone can have severe interactions with many drugs.
Treatment and Staff
The length of Ku Aloha’s opioid treatment program varies per client. Clients receive complete assessments and individualized treatment plans. Clients receive methadone on a daily basis, while those on Suboxone receive two to three doses the first week followed by a weekly amount, and then monthly doses.
Honolulu dosing hours are from 5:30 am to 11:30 am Mondays through Fridays and from 6:30 am to 11 am Saturdays. Hilo dosing hours are from 5:30 am to 10:30 am Mondays through Fridays and from 6:30 am to 10:30 am Saturdays. Both clinics are closed on Sundays. With typical Hawaiian hospitality, Ku Aloha wants to make sure visitors don’t let those pesky withdrawal symptoms interfere with their vacations. Upon medical approval, the clinics provide courtesy methadone dosing for tourists. The cost is $30 for the primary dose, and $25 for subsequent doses.
Outpatient treatment for clients on a medication maintenance plan includes primary care, group therapy, individual therapy and family counseling. All types of therapy employ evidence-based treatment methods, group therapy topics include relapse prevention, Hawaiian values, spirituality, dual diagnosis support, health and wellness, and “haumana” (peer) reinforcement. Gender-specific groups are provided.
The IOP and outpatient programs are offered at the Puna clinic. Like opioid abuse clients, IOP clients receive complete assessments and individualized treatment plans. With a strong emphasis on Hawaiian values and spirituality integrated with CBT, IOP offers individual and group therapy. Topics include relapse prevention, dual diagnosis support and substance abuse education. Counseling services are provided at a two-story house in Kea`au while Hawaiian spiritual rites take place at the Kapoho Cultural Educational Center.
Staff includes a psychiatrist, two doctors of psychology, an addiction medicine specialist, CADCs, Master’s-level clinical supervisors, an acupuncturist, a medical director, an executive director and haumanas (peer counselors).
Extras
Traditional Hawaiian healing methods include spiritual counseling (ho`oponopono), acupuncture and Hawaiian spiritual massage (lomilomi). Clients of both IOP and outpatient participate in chants, ceremonies, retreats and other healing methods indigenous to Hawaii. Art therapy is also offered.
Ku Aloha provides HIV education and prenatal counseling.
In Summary
Ku Aloha is more than just a methadone clinic. This is a unique outpatient facility that offers affordable treatment for anybody seeking recovery. With a combination of CBT and traditional Hawaiian healing, those seeking a 12-step alternative will find healing and a huge dose of Aloha here.
Honolulu Clinic
1130 N. Nimitz Hwy, Ste C-302
Honolulu, HI 96817
Puna Clinic
15-1926 Puakalo St
Kea`au, HI 96749
Hilo Clinic
900 Leilani St
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Ku Aloha Ola Mau Cost: Varies per program. Reach Ku Aloha Ola Mau by phone at (808) 538-0704, (808) 961-6822 (Hilo) or at (808) 982-9555 (Puna). Find Ku Aloha Ola Mau at Facebook, Google+ and YouTube
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Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
