Habilitat Inc

ABOUT HABILITAT

Located in Kaneohe, Hawaii, 11 miles north of Honolulu, Habilitat is one of 16 (9.5 percent) of long-term residential treatment facilities in the state. It provides a comprehensive, three-tiered program for individuals seeking treatment for chemical dependency and antisocial behaviors. Operating since 1971, Habilitat helps clients by providing education, vocational training, and work-therapy. Habilitat does not offer medical detoxification services on-site.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

Habilitat does not adhere to the disease model of addiction but rather views addiction as a lifestyle choice. Although programming incorporates elements of behavioral therapy, such as group meetings, Habilitat strongly emphasizes vocational training, regimented schedules, and self-discipline as the keys to overcoming destructive behaviors. In Hawaii, only 84 (50 percent) of treatment facilities offer vocational training during treatment.

Habilitat’s three-phase program is fully immersive, and requires a minimum commitment of two and a half years. The first phase, or Treatment Phase, features a daily schedule of social and work obligations, such as morning meetings, daily seminars with guest speakers, and recreational activities, performing daily tasks and learning basic life skills. During this phase, residents who do not have their G.E.D. are enrolled in classes to receive their diploma (and some graduates go on to pursue college degrees). An optional computer class is also available.

After approximately six months of the Treatment Phase, clients transition into the Re-entry Phase, which is designed to prepare clients for daily living and self-sufficiency. Residents choose one of several required vocational skills: construction, administration, medical assistance, sales and marketing, culinary arts, and clinical work. Habilitat facilitates employment outside of the facility, and clients earn a stipend for their services while learning effective budgeting practices.

The third phase, the Post Re-entry Phase, enables clients to reconnect with family members and their communities while continuing to maintain their work obligations. During this final stage, residents are given “days off” to promote off-site leisure activities, such as beach trips, movie outings, and attending community activities.

During all phases of treatment, Habilitat emphasizes health and wellness as important components to sustaining healthy lifestyle changes. It is one of 59 (35.1 percent) of statewide facilities with health education programs. Once a client completes the Post Re-entry Phase, Habilitat provides six months of aftercare services, which includes structured monitoring, follow-up, and aftercare sessions at the Habilitat facility.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

Apart from an on-site nurse to ensure residents' safety, most employees are former residents, but on-site educators are state-certified to provide classroom instruction. For those who wish to work at the facility, Habilitat provides a trainee program. The facility maintains a staff-to-client ratio of 1:8.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

Located on Kaneohe Bay, Habilitat is a large, oceanfront campus with a capacity for up to 150 residents placing well above Hawaii’s average facility capacity of 29 beds. Residents are housed in dorm-like, gender-specific rooms that accommodate four to five clients per room. The campus features Jacuzzi and steam room, fully-equipped gym,state-of-the-art aerobics studios, basketball and volleyball courts, an on-site barbershop, a computer room, a game room, and a library.

The facility also features its own pier and boats, and residents have access to a range of outdoor activities, including boating, kayaking, sailing, swimming, hiking, and surfing. Staff also regularly led optional kickboxing and aerobics classes.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

The four alumni polled by Rehabs.com about Habilitat at the time of this writing offered very polarizing opinions of the facility, with two positive and two negative reviews. One alum, Ken, maintained that the facility was highly effective. “Habilitat taught me to be greatful for the things I have, they taught me how to work.hard!” Ken wrote. However, alum Jordan had a starkly different opinion of the facility. “I went there and its beyond messed up the way they treat you...” Jordan wrote, citing extended hours of cleaning the facility.

On Google, Habilitat has an average rating of 4.5 out of five stars from eight reviews at the time of this writing.^[1] Positive feedback was given for the facility’s billing policies of not billing “people’s insurance” and providing care on a “sliding scale payment system.” Others wrote about its “tough love” approach that is “unlike any model I have been apart of before.”

On Facebook, where the facility can manage its page, Habilitat has a maximum five-star average rating from 32 reviews.^[2] Alumni and loved ones alike describe a “supportive” staff and a highly effective program full of coping skills. A.M. wrote how she uses “the tools I was given every single day.”

On Yelp, nearly all of the 62 reviews to date (including 45 that are not currently recommended) are positive. ^{[3] [4]} Reviewers indicate that graduates of the program continue to help out with current residents and that the program “saved their lives.” On CiteHealth, two reviewers gave the facility five out of five star reviews.^[5]

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

The seven loved ones polled by Rehabs.com at the time of this writing provided mixed opinions of Habilitat. The feedback is divided into four positive and three negative reviews. Loved ones did not enjoy the very small number of clients and the lack of holistic offerings. An anonymous loved one wrote, “They have people who have been through treatment and understand what it's like to struggle with dependency,” but they also added, "Not too much after treatment support."

One loved one, L.H., provided positive feedback about the facility, reporting sustained recovery, and ongoing employment for their son. “After trying many other short term programs my son finally got clean here and has been working and doing well on his own for several years now.” Regarding the facility as a whole; however, an unsatisfied loved one added: “It's better than nothing.”

FINANCING

Habilitat funds itself through donations and the labor services performed by residents. Insurance is not accepted and scholarships may be available.

^[1] GoogleReviews
^[2] https://www.facebook.com/pg/Habilitat/reviews
^[3] https://www.yelp.com/biz/habilitat-kaneohe-2
^[4] https://www.yelp.com/notrecommendedreviews/habilitat-kaneohe-2
^[5] https://citehealth.com/rehab-centers/hawaii/cities/kaneohe/habilitat-inc