At the Owl’s Nest, residents are more than just a number. If a resident is still struggling with dependency after their scheduled program is completed, they are encouraged to remain with the Owl’s Nest until they feel comfortable enough to return home. During both The Short-Term Intensive and Long-Term Programs, residents attend group sessions that encourage them to discuss their experiences and how they plan on achieving sobriety through the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Owl’s Nest staff provides unique insight and advice during these sessions because the program staff all went through the exact same issues.
ABOUT THE OWL’S NEST
The Owl’s Nest is a residential rehab facility for adults 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, 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.
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 and assume responsibility for themselves.
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 can come and go more freely.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The staff-to-client ratio is 1:10, and the facility proudly announces that all its staff are in recovery themselves. There are no medical professionals on staff.
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.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The 33 alumni who left reviews at Best-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.”
A lot 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.”
Another alum wrote: “I owe the Owl’s Nest a debt I can never repay. Their program and staff not only saved my life, but gave me the opportunity to not only have a sober future, but a happy and prosperous one for myself and for my family.”
However, review coverage from a couple alumni also contained some serious criticisms. Julia wrote: “The living conditions were horrific….There are not any trained counselors at the facility. There was no medical care, ambulance had to be called for people having seizures often.” Julia also complained of a lack of 12-step activity — even though the facility claims that the 12-Steps are the cornerstone of treatment.
An anonymous Best-rehabs.com survey respondent also 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 who were reviewed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave generally positive reviews.
Ruby wrote in to Best-rehabs.com to say simply: “good. it helped him a lot.” And an anonymous family member told Best-rehabs.com: “One big family highest recovery rate on the east coast and second highest in the nation.”
FINANCING
This facility does not accept insurance. Financial assistance is available, and packages reportedly cover less than 60 percent of the cost of treatment. The center’s website doesn’t 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.