Malama’s programs are unique in Maui County as well as in the state. We pride ourselves in creating a nurturing, healing environment. We are located in a residential house, with two additional cottages. This creates a homey and safe environment. Over the 16 years of operation we have maintained this philosophy of respect, warmth and recovery. We believe strongly in the power of a healing family setting. The team is known for its strength and commitment to providing a safe, sober, healthy environment for women to do the challenging work of healing themselves so that they can create change for their families.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reports that women enter the treatment system through different avenues than did men. Women’s point of entry to treatment tends to be linked to Child Protective Services, OB/GYN doctors, family intervention, and referrals for treatment while in jail. Gender-specific treatment is central to successful outcomes for women in treatment because females who abuse substances share common life experiences and needs distinct from their male counterparts. (Bloom & Covington 1998).

Service/Intervention begins with a Substance Abuse Assessment to determine the extent of the problem through a detailed history of substance use. A mental status evaluation may be needed to determine if there are any co-existing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This is especially important since women’s use is closely linked to traumatic events and losses, where as men’s use is closely linked to dependency needs.

Drug and alcohol treatment interventions occur in many ways.
Treatment intervention sources may include the following: Self or individual referral –self-referral; family member, friend or other individual; Other health care provider, physician, psychiatrist, or general or psychiatric hospital, mental health program, or nursing home; School/employer, counselor, teacher; supervisor, employee counselor or employee assistance program; Other community referral-community, religious, or governmental organization/agency providing social services, self-help group; Court/criminal justice referral- police official, judge, prosecutor, probation officer, or other person affiliated with a Federal, State or County judicial system, court referral for a DUI.

Most work with those seeking services is given in a group format. Individual and family counseling are also provided. Many times family members have lost trust in the woman who is the “identified patient” or the substance user. We then start with her and work to help her re-connect with healthy sober supportive members of her family or support network. We help them to feel apart of a group of women, so that they no they are not alone. Often there are bonds created in our groups that help them to build a new family – one that belongs to a strong recovery community.

Many of the teens Malama works with are met when they are pregnant and in need of support. Sometimes they are the daughters of women who are currently in our programs. We try to make a difference in these young women’s lives so that their futures can be one that is free of the family patterns of abuse and addiction.

Recognizing when one needs some help is difficult as the expectation is often that one should be able to handle life on one’s own. Admitting to having difficulty is the first step, often one that may involve shame and guilt for not being able to deal with things on centers need to make themselves more of a presence.

Intensive Outpatient Program for treatment and Baby S.A.F.E. program to help pregnant women to stop using substances. For more information about our services or need a referral please call Monday to Friday 8-4pm.

Malama Family Recovery Center is the only women specific program on Maui providing assessment, stabilization and treatment for substance abuse. The availability of detoxification and residential treatment services is provided with our partner agency Aloha House. 

Malama’s Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program is gender specific and runs longer than the usual length of this level of treatment due to the special needs of our population. A Therapeutic Living Program for women to live with one of their children ages 0-3 is available for 24 hour a day support and a sober living environment they need in order to stabilize their lives. They can reside with us for up to 130 days during which time there is intensive case management, life skills, budgeting, financial planning, domestic violence awareness groups, etc. provided. Childcare and transportation is provided for all programs, therefore removing the usual barriers for women getting the care they need.

Gender specificity in treatment is central to successful outcomes because females who abuse substances share common life experiences and have needs distinct from their male counterparts. Typically, women represent a minority of the client population in substance abuse treatment programs that have gender-mixed populations.

Because of women’s unique experiences and needs, this population requires enhanced programming related to mental health and medical needs, victimization issues, parenting and family issues, child care, transportation, financial, employment and vocational needs. Further, a large percentage of our clients are of Native Hawaiian descent. Therefore, MFRC integrates culturally competent strategies that incorporate Hawaiian and “local” culture in the healing of substance abuse problems in our community.

Pregnant and parenting women have priority in receiving services at MFRC. Because the women we serve are a “high needs”, difficult to reach population, we eliminate the most common barriers to treatment by offering transportation to and from our facility, child-care, and nutritional meals to program participants and their children.

Current studies indicate, “Every dollar invested in drug treatment can save $1-$12 in societal and medical costs”; “Drug treatment can cut crime by 80%”. The cost of incarceration on Maui has been reported to be $32,000 per year. Intensive Outpatient Treatment at MFRC is estimated to cost $2,500.

MFRC has served over 1600 substance-addicted women and their children on Maui since 1990. Our clients come to the program through self-referral, Adult Probation, Child Protective Services, the Hawaii Paroling Authority, Family Court, the Maui Community Correctional Center (MCCC), and physician referral. Over half of our clients are currently, or have been recently incarcerated for substance abuse related crimes.

Malama serves the highest needs and most under-served population of women addicted to substances in our community – women in prison or recently released, mother’s mandated by Child Protective Services, referrals from Adult Probation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority, and women without medical coverage who are unable to pay for the treatment they so desperately need.
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