Expert Insights
Many people with substance use disorder don’t appear to be compromised. They function well in society, are often successful in their careers, and are well respected. Many business professionals decline rehab treatment because of the stigma and loss of work time that rehab requires. But today, there are “executive rehabs” that cater to business professionals.
Executive rehabs offer greater confidentiality and provide amenities (office space/office machinery) that allow clients to continue managing some of their business responsibilities while in treatment. Such rehabs are needed because they make it possible for executives to access treatment solutions that work for them.
~ Rita Milios
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Hawaii?
Hawaii is ranked 44th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $58,810 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $144,988
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Hawaii costs an average of $51,896
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Hawaii costs an average of $8,623
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,662
The exact cost of addiction treatment in Hawaii depends on several factors, including:
The type of treatment program you need, i.e., inpatient vs. outpatient care
The types of features
The duration of treatment
Whether or not you have health insurance
Whether or not you’re eligible for special financing or government funding
Location
How to Find Low-Cost Rehab Centers in Hawaii
You don’t have to worry about not being able to afford Hawaii drug rehabs. While there are indefinite costs, like room and board, several options exist to meet your income level.
As of 2024, there were over 160 drug rehab facilities across the state of Hawaii. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept rehabs offer free or reduced-cost programs:
88 accept self-payment or cash
33 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
76 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
53 accept state funded insurance coverage
79 accept private health insurance
128 offer free or low-cost treatment
70 offer free treatment for all clients
3 accept tribal funding
Low-cost and free facilities receive funding from both the federal and state government as well as local governments that receive funding from insurance programs like Medicaid, special grants, and even donations. This funding allows them to offer discounted or no-cost addiction treatment.
To receive free or low-cost drug and alcohol rehab in Hawaii, you’ll need to meet specific criteria, such as:
- You must be a U.S. citizen
- You must have proof of low income
- You must have proof of a lack of health insurance
- You must be a tax-paying resident in the state of Hawaii
Does Insurance Cover Rehab Center Costs?
Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008, all states, including Hawaii, require that healthcare providers offer plans that include mental health and substance use disorder benefits.2
This means if you currently have health insurance, then you have some sort of coverage for addiction treatment in Hawaii.
Private Insurance
Under the MHPAEA, private providers must include some coverage for substance use disorder treatment and mental health disorders. Some of the top insurance providers that offer coverage for rehabilitation include United Healthcare, Humana, COBRA, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), COBRA, and Aetna.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a program funded by the state and federal governments, offering healthcare coverage to low-income families. Regarding substance use care, Medicaid will cover the basics, such as initial screenings, intervention assistance, inpatient and outpatient care, medically assisted detox, addiction treatment medications, mental health services.
Medicare
Medicare is a federally funded program designed for seniors 65 and older and individuals with disabilities. Unlike Medicaid, Medicare plans are associated with a monthly premium that is based on your income. That means individuals with lower incomes will pay lower premiums.
Does Hawaii Have a Drug and Alcohol Problem?
A 2020 survey conducted by the University of Hawaii Department of Psychiatry for the state’s health department has revealed the following facts and statistics about Hawaii’s youth population:1
The statewide ratio for middle and high school students with a substance use disorder is 1:10.
At 24.4%, gender-diverse middle and high school students are more likely to have a substance use disorder.
While 11% of students likely have a substance use disorder (SUD), an additional 14% were at risk of developing SUD.
Most students in this age group reported drinking as early as eight years old, with use peaking between 13 and 15.
Important Drug Laws in Hawaii
Here are some relevant Hawaii drug and alcohol laws:
The Good Samaritan Law
Like most states, Hawaii has its own Good Samaritan law. That law states that anyone acting in good faith to help another individual or themselves during an overdose-related emergency will not be prosecuted—regardless of whether the individual in question has paraphernalia or illicit substances on their person.
The Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) Program
To help people ineligible for drug court, the HOPE program offers an intensive recovery program for the offenders that are most likely to violate the conditions of their probation due to having a substance use disorder.
The Hawaii Opioid Initiative (HOI)
The Hawaii Opioid Initiative is a statewide collaboration between private and public sectors to address opioid misusage and coordinate an action plan to keep residents safe. With the objective of preventing overdoses, for example, the HOI has made naloxone (Narcan) available over the counter.
Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Settings
Medical Detox: is often the first step of addiction treatment. It involves withdrawal management and preparation for inpatient or outpatient drug rehab. A medical detox, typically includes 24/7 care, supervision, and monitoring.
Inpatient: rehab refers to residential care, where you’ll be admitted to a facility and live there for the duration of your program. These programs range from 30 days to 90 days, depending on your needs. Since you’ll be living at the facility, you’ll be provided with a room with a bed, meals, and other amenities.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): are the most intensive form of outpatient care. They include up to 30 hours of therapy per week in a hospital setting.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): are a step down from a PHP. IOPs offer between nine and 20 hours of care per week.
Standard Outpatient: programs are usually the least intensive and offer the most flexibility since you attend therapy for just a few hours per week. This type of care is best for someone with a mild addiction and a strong support system.
Aftercare: can help prevent relapse, assist in building community, and improve the skills you learned in rehab. Some options include 12-step meetings, non-12-step meetings, therapy and counseling, and sober living homes.
Should You Go to a Specialized or Luxury Rehab?
Holistic: Holistic programs focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit in addition to substance abuse recovery. They emphasize spiritual healing, and the goal is to get individuals on the right path through organic diets, wellness activities, and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, creative therapies, and more.
Faith-Based: Christian and other faith-based programs are based on the belief that an individual isn’t just suffering physically but spiritually and emotionally as well. These types of rehabs encourage their patients to form a connection with a higher power for their recovery.
Luxury: Luxury addiction treatment centers offer upscale amenities and features, such as gourmet meals, spa treatments, pools, massages, and more. Because privacy and comfort are emphasized, they are also typically set in more secluded areas, such as lakeside, on the beach, or in the mountains.
Executive: Executive programs are tailored to high-level and busy professionals who require more flexibility, privacy, and additional resources that are conducive to a working environment. They offer amenities such as private conference rooms, access to computers and Wi-Fi, travel support for work trips, and private rooms.
Dual Diagnosis: Dual diagnosis refers to co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. These conditions typically influence one another, so it’s important to attend a rehab that fully addresses both disorders and their effects on each other.
Do You Need Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses FDA-approved medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy and counseling to provide a “whole-patient” approach.3
Research shows that MAT programs come with clinically proven success in treating substance use disorders involving alcohol, heroin, and other opioids and sustaining recovery.3 This is because the medications used work to balance brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of substances, and relieve the psychological cravings to bring the body back to a normally functioning state.3
Methadone is an FDA-approved synthetic opioid agonist that’s used to help treat opioid addiction. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, relieving cravings and withdrawal symptoms and staying active in the body for up to 36 hours.
Suboxone is a combination medication including buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist. It binds to opioid receptors, relieving opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but to a lesser extent than methadone.
Naltrexone is an MAT option used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. It can be prescribed and administered by virtually any doctor and comes in pill form or as an injectable.
Antabuse was one of the first medications prescribed for alcohol use disorder. It works by blocking the enzymes the body uses to process alcohol and can cause some nasty side effects if alcohol is consumed after it has been taken.
Acamprosate is another prescription medication used to help treat alcoholism. It comes in pill form and is typically taken up to three times per day with food. The medication works to restore the natural balance of the neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce cravings helping individuals to abstain from alcohol use.
Should You Travel for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Hawaii?
If you’re wondering whether you should travel to attend one of the accredited drug rehab centers in Hawaii, you’ll have to first assess your needs. Sometimes a fresh start is best for recovery, whereas traveling for treatment to be closer to friends and family can also make things easier.
Whether you’re traveling to the Aloha state from afar to get peace or staying local for support, you’ll want to consider the actual setting of where you’ll be and how it’ll affect you.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering traveling:
- You prefer the climate or need a change of scenery
- You want to attend a particular facility or detox center
- You have family or friends who live in Hawaii and can provide support
- Your insurance covers treatment in there
Resources
- Hawaii Department of Health (2020). Hawai’i Student Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use (ATPD) Survey.
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2021, November 10). Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help.
- SAMHSA (2021). Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).
- SAMHSA. (2021, June 8). Methadone.
- SAMHSA. (n.d.). Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator.
- SAMHSA. (2020, September 15). Naltrexone.
