Owl'S Nest Recovery Community

ABOUT THE OWL’S NEST

The Owl’s Nest is a residential treatment facility for adults struggling with substance abuse that operates out of Florence, S.C., just over a hundred miles north of Charleston. It uses a recovery community model, and states a commitment to “making recovery accessible and affordable for all of those who seek it.” Medical detox is not available on-site.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

According to The Owl’s Nest’s website, treatment is firmly rooted in the 12-Steps, as are 72.2 percent of facilities in South Carolina, and incorporates short or long-term residential care. The short-term care option — which has a minimum stay of 28 days — is the more intensive of the two, featuring study of the AA Big Book, along with group therapy and one-on-one counseling. It is one of only eight facilities in the state to provide non-hospital, short-term residential care.

After the completion of the short-term intensive programs, residents can continue in the long-term program, which is also housed on campus, and must commit to a minimum of four months, though they may stay for up to a year. All long-term residents are required to seek employment.

Once an individual has completed either program, he or she can stay in on-site alumni housing or one of Owl's Nest's three transitional living houses in the Florence area. During this stage of treatment, clients are more self-accountable for living a sober life. Residents in this stage are able to have a cell phone, a vehicle, and more flexibility with programming.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

The staff-to-client ratio is 1:10, and the facility proudly announces that all its staff are in recovery themselves. However, there are no medical professionals on staff. To date, the 10 individuals polled on the matter by Rehabs.com gave generally moderate opinions concerning the staff's aptitude.

Staff Experience and Training: 3.4/5

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

According to the center’s website, the campus is set on a heavily wooded area. Up to 150 clients sleep in shared rooms, and meals are served cafeteria-style. Men and women are housed in separate facilities. Transportation to and from job interviews, work, medical, and other necessary appointments is provided. To date, the 10 individuals polled by Rehabs.com gave the facility gave mostly positive opinions concerning the cleanliness of the facilities.

Facility Cleanliness and Upkeep: 3.6/5

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

The 41 alumni who left reviews at Rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave mostly positive reviews. Multiple alumni credited The Owl’s Nest with saving their life.

One alumni wrote: “Simply put the Owl's Nest changed my life. After numerous detoxes and rehabs I had just about given up...The Nest saved me. Without this place there is no doubt I would either be dead or incarcerated. Thank you to the best for saving me from myself.” Offering five-star ratings for the effectiveness of lead counselors, conflict resolution, and group counseling, alum Clint added: "The staff here truly care about residents."

Many of the alumni mentioned the staff’s knowledge and how they were relatable. Lindsey wrote: “I was slowly trying to kill myself. In 2012 I found my solution.... the Owl's Nest. The staff and residents loved me when I could not love myself. They showed me the true message of AA, the hope to live sober and strength to grow.”

However, review coverage from some alumni also contained some serious criticisms. Many of these called the accommodations in to question, and several noted that bed bugs were a problem. Julia wrote: “The living conditions were horrific....There are not any trained counselors at the facility." Julia also complained of a lack of 12-step activity. Offering one-star ratings for counseling options and facility cleanliness, another anonymous Rehabs.com survey respondent wrote: "They are horrible. Dirty, strict, religious based, extremely expensive, and rude. It stinks do not go there."

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

The three loved ones surveyed by Rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave generally positive reviews. Awarding five-star ratings for family participation and level of staff support, Ruby simply wrote: "Good. it helped him a lot." One an anonymous family member added: “One big family highest recovery rate on the east coast and second highest in the nation.” The two who rated the facility's treatment effectiveness gave ratings of five and four out of five stars, respectively.

FINANCING

This facility does not accept insurance, like 31.5 percent of facilities in the state. Financial assistance is available, and packages reportedly cover less than 60 percent of the cost of treatment. The center’s website does not provide a price for the programs. However, it did indicated the programs at The Owl’s Nest are a fraction of the price of other recovery institutions. To date, the four individuals polled by Rehab.com on the matter gave moderate ratings concerning the facility's cost.

Affordability: 3.3/5