The Retreat is a supportive, educational recovery program grounded in 12-Step principles. By offering accessible, educational services based on the 12-Steps, The Retreat's mission and hope is to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities affected by drug and alcohol dependence. The program unites clients seeking 12-Step camaraderie with those who have already experienced addiction and have now recovered. The program's instructors and mentors are drawn from the growing Al-Anon and AA volunteer community.
The Retreat offers a variety of 12-Step programs, including gender-specific residential programs, virtual recovery programs, intensive
outpatient programs, virtual 55 + programs, and sober housing. The Retreat’s focus is on spirituality, and guests learn the benefits of prayer, meditation, and quiet reflection. The central component of their program is the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. A typical day at The Retreat includes meditation practices, Big Book study groups, living sober study groups, lecture presentations, community meetings, and AA meetings.
Only 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, The Retreat welcomes visitors in a historic campus setting, tucked away in the peace of the woods. Their 18-bed Mclver center can accommodate 24 people in private and semi-private rooms. The Retreat also operates 6 long-term
sober living homes that provide 12-Step support, guidance, and camaraderie. Although The Retreat is not a substitute for psychotherapy, it offers a unique place for those looking for 12-Step peer support and an affordable program.
Evidence-Based Context: According to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2023), approximately 48.7 million Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) emphasizes that treatment programs combining behavioral therapy with medication-assisted approaches show the highest rates of sustained recovery. Facilities like The Retreat provide structured pathways to evidence-based care.
Sources: SAMHSA NSDUH 2023, NIDA Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment (4th Ed.)