How to Find Detox in Hawaii

While Hawaii is known for enviable vacation and party getaways, many of its residents suffer from debilitating drug and alcohol addiction.

In fact, in a single year, the government seized over $531 million worth of drugs.[1] In addition, Hawaii ranks as one of the top states for high school students who were received, sold, or were offered an illegal substance on school grounds.[2]

However, despite these daunting statistics, there is hope for those that want help in Hawaii.

Over 168 addiction treatment facilities exist in Hawaii and are ready to help you start your journey to recovery.[3]

Treatment Center Accreditations in Hawaii

As you begin your search for an addiction treatment facility, many fraudulent “companies” advertise themselves as addiction centers, though many are merely scams. Therefore, just because a company markets itself as an addiction treatment facility doesn’t mean it is a legitimate facility.

In fact, even if it is a legitimate addiction facility, the quality may not be high enough to help you achieve your goals.

To avoid all of these pitfalls, check that the facility is accredited.

First, it should be licensed by the state of Hawaii Department of Health. In fact, they have a list of recommended facilities on their website for your convenience.[4] They also offer recommendations for both adults and underage addicts across the various islands, including Oahu, Maui, Big Island of Hawaii, Molokai, and Kaua’i.

You can also check that the facility is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This organization is dedicated to ensuring treatment facilities, staff, and programs are high quality and effective addiction solutions.

CARF accredits about 62 percent of all addiction facilities in Hawaii, and a large percentage of facilities also have accreditation from other organizations such as the Council on Accreditation (COA) and the Joint Commission.

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See the table below for a full breakdown:

Facility Licensing, Certification, or Accreditation, by number and percent
	No.	%
Any listed agency/organization	133	79.17%
State substance abuse agency	81	48.21%
State mental health department	15	8.93%
State department of health	75	44.64%
Hospital licensing authority	3	1.79%
The Joint Commission	7	4.17%
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)	105	62.50%
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)	0	0.00%
Council on Accreditation (COA)	7	4.17%
Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)	0	0.00%
Other national organization or federal, state or local agency	1	0.60%
Total	168	100.00%

Types of Rehab in Hawaii

The next step is to select either an inpatient or outpatient program in Hawaii.

Inpatient programs are generally more intense as you’ll live at the facility, whereas outpatient programs allow you to live at home.

Given the intensity of inpatient programs, they usually last just 30 to 90 days long. In contrast, outpatient programs vary in intensity and time frame, with some lasting six months and others lasting years.

You may also start in an inpatient program and later transition to an outpatient program.

For those with stronger addiction or those with a history of treatment failure, inpatient treatment is usually recommended as medical staff can monitor your progress around the clock, and you’ll always have help available.

Nevertheless, if you’re unable to take time off work and away from family, some studies show that intensive outpatient programs can be equally effective.[5] Therefore, talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist before deciding which treatment program to enter.

If you’re concerned about location, there are about 158 outpatient programs and 16 inpatient programs across Hawaii, so you should be able to find a suitable program near you.

The table below further illustrates available programs:

Type of Care, by number and percent
	Facilities
	No.	%
Outpatient	158	94.05%
Regular	158	94.05%
Intensive	77	45.83%
Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization	17	10.12%
Detoxification	9	5.36%
Methadone/buprenorphine maintenance or naltrexone treatment	14	8.33%
Residential (non-hospital)	16	9.52%
Short Term	6	3.57%
Long Term	16	9.52%
Detoxification	6	3.57%
Hospital Inpatient	0	0.00%
Treatment	0	0.00%
Detoxification	0	0.00%
Total	168	100.00%

Drug and Alcohol Detox in Hawaii

Once you’ve decided on a treatment solution, the first step will be the detoxification process. As addiction is a disease that afflicts your mindset, the detoxification process won’t cure you of substance dependency, though it will physically clean your body from toxins.

Unfortunately, this is one of the most complicated aspects of the process, as you’ll likely experience withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable at best, and having a support team around you during the process will make it much easier as doctors can prescribe medication such as methadone to ease cravings.[6]

However, more than anything else, it’s important to have medical professionals on standby as some withdrawal symptoms may be more serious, including nausea, sweating, disorientation, and even hallucinations.[7]

Those heavily dependent on alcohol may experience serious threatening side effects like delirium tremens (DTs). While only appearing in about three to five percent of the most severe cases, DTs can be life-threatening.[8]

The first signs of DTs, including extreme disorientation and hallucination, usually begin about 48 hours after the last ingestion of a substance and last anywhere from one to eight days, though usually about two to four days.

If left untreated, DTs can cause death from irregular heartbeat, respiratory arrest, prolonged seizures, and electrolyte disturbance. Some estimates predict that if left untreated, DTs can be fatal in up to 37 percent of cases.

Therefore, it’s essential to undergo the detoxification process with medical professionals on standby to assist you if necessary.

Ways to Pay for Treatment in Hawaii

Addiction treatment is undoubtedly a major expense, though it won’t be effective if you try to cut corners. Research shows that most individuals need at least three months of treatment.[9] If patients don’t complete the appropriate length of time, the treatment will be a waste of both time and money, and they will likely return to using substances.

Fortunately, there are programs available to help you pay for addiction treatment in Hawaii.

We’ll look at some of the most common payment methods first and then options for low-income individuals.

If you’re able to afford addiction treatment or have a family that is willing to pay for your admission, about 38 percent of Hawaii treatment centers accept cash or self-pay.

Another common payment method is private health insurance. Statistics show that roughly 54 percent of Hawaii residents have employer insurance, and about 33 percent of treatment centers accept this payment method.[10] In addition, regardless of the plan you have, the Affordable Care Act now requires insurance companies to cover addiction treatment.[11]

Another common form of health insurance is Medicaid, which is essentially free coverage for 100 percent of medical bills. About 18 percent of Hawaii residents have Medicaid, and it’s available to anyone that meets their requirements, with the most notable requirement being an income limit of no more than $3,208 per month for a family of four and incrementally lower for fewer people.[12]

The only drawback with Medicaid is that you must be a resident of Hawaii, so visitors cannot apply. However, you may qualify if you receive emergency care and cannot afford it.

Medicare is another relatively common form of treatment in Hawaii, with 29.2 percent of treatment centers accepting this form of payment.

Medicare is also similar to Medicaid, though it’s generally available to low-income individuals who are either over the age of 65 or have disabilities. About 16 percent of Hawaii residents have Medicare, and it’s accepted by about 15 percent of Hawaii addiction treatment centers.

If you don’t currently have health insurance and don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, there are still a few other treatment options available.

First, some treatment centers operate on a sliding scale. This means that lower-income individuals pay less money than those with higher incomes making treatment more affordable.

In addition, about 75 percent of treatment centers offer treatment for free to those who cannot afford it, and 46 percent offer treatment to all clients.

You can see the table below for a complete overview:

Facility Payment Options, by Number and percent
	No.	%
Cash or self-payment	63	37.50%
Private Health Insurance	56	33.33%
Medicare	26	15.48%
Medicaid	49	29.17%
State-financed Health insurance	49	29.17%
Federal military insurance	28	16.67%
No payment accepted (free treatment for all clients)	78	46.43%
IHS/Tribal/Union (ITU) funds	3	1.79%
Other payments	0	0.00%
Sliding fee scale	19	11.31%
Treatment at no charge or minimal payment for clients who can’t pay	126	75.00%
Total	168	100.00%

Private & State-Funded Rehab in Hawaii

The Hawaii government loses millions of dollars each year to addiction from incarceration, property damage, and much more. Therefore, they are incentivized to offer affordable addiction treatment to more people.

As a result, many state-funded treatment programs now exist that make treatment free for qualifying residents. Given that the programs are free, there is typically a waitlist to enter a state-funded program.

Nonetheless, these programs are effective and provide the same level of medical expertise as a private treatment facility. They may not have the same luxury amenities, such as yoga classes, music therapy, and chef-prepared meals, though it is an effective treatment option for low-income patients.

Another option that might be suitable is a non-profit privately funded facilities. These operate the same way state-funded facilities operate in that they are supported by charitable donations and provide free treatment to those in need.

Again, these treatment facilities tend to have a waitlist and may not be as luxurious as for-profit treatment centers, though they are a great solution for those that need affordable treatment.
See a full breakdown below:

Facility Operation, by number and percent
	Facilities
	No.	%
Private Non-Profit	135	80.36%
Private for Profit	27	16.07%
Local, county, or community government	0	0.00%
State government	2	1.19%
Federal Government	4	2.38%
Tribal Government	0	0.00%
Total	168	100.00%

Finding Rehab in Hawaii Today

Entering an addiction treatment facility is a life-changing experience and will not only improve your mental health, but it will also extend to your personal relationships, job opportunities, and much more. If you have any more questions about treatment options, feel free to reach out to one of our specialists at . Your journey to recovery is just one phone call away!

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