800-784-1361
My husband struggled with alcoholism for many years. He was in and out of treatment, and kept relapsing. When he talks about his experience at The Retreat, he talks about how they helped him to learn to live his life differently. I am thankful every day for the miracle of ...
About The Retreat
The Retreat is best known for its residential treatment program. It has separate programs for men and women. They also have an evening program for people who are living at home and working during the day but still want dedicated treatment. There’s also a special program for seniors over 55 and a family recovery program, too.
This rehab takes a fundamentally different approach than most rehabs. It aims to get away from the clinical feel of many rehabs and instead focus more on building a community and holistic addiction recovery. The program is based on the spiritual principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, and they can get you started on 12 step programs that you can continue after you go home.
This type of nonclinical rehab could be an ideal fit if you want something that feels less medical and more like a mutually supportive environment. It’s that nontraditional and getaway feeling that clients love and credit with being a life changing and sometimes life saving experience.
This rehab can also be a great option if you’re transitioning out of another rehab program. They have several sober living homes that offer a great environment where you can start rejoining society and rebuilding your life in sobriety while still being in a home that is safe for your recovery.
Fact checked and written by:
Nikki Wisher, BA
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Latest Reviews
DO NOT GO HERE!! Interesting when I look at the Google reviews only the 5 stars show up. Haha. I never thought I would be compelled to post a negative review of The Retreat. However it is now a SHADOW of its former self. Very sad. This is NOT A TREATMENT CENTER. It used to be an immersive 12 step experience. It is no longer that. It is now a mental health shit show. I was SHOCKED at the current situation there when I attended this spring 2025. I was there on 2018 and 2020 under the direction of Diane Poole and Andrea Bruner. Amazing experience back then. I’ve had long term sobriety and went this spring for a refresher. Today the current leadership is completely unqualified to help the women who are there. They are admitting people who need serious higher levels of care. Chris offers no guidance or direction and when issues arose in the community she told the women they needed “to handle it”. Ex: women with extreme bipolar, psychosis, suicidal ideation, extreme paranoia, severe trauma, severe detoxing- (shitting all over the bathroom- the women had to clean it up) etc. etc. Chris is in over her head. Sad. There is no mental health support, no medication management, no therapy, no assistance or outside help for people having mental health crises or just plain early recovery issues. . Other than Chris saying “ you need to dig into the big book more”. Beth who is in charge of the women’s front office and daily issues is completely unqualified and talks to the women in a baby voice. Turns out she ran a day care center in her home prior to her current job at The Retreat. Yep that explains it.
There is no clear formula for programming. The volunteers who come to speak once a day are random and not trained professionals. The yoga teachers cancel often and seem resentful and burned out that they are donating their time.
Daily “Chapel” is an AA speaker meeting. I was shocked at the speakers. An outside AA mtg would never have these women speak. They used to vet the speakers and all the speakers used to have a connection to The Retreat. Now anyone can come and speak. OMG.
When I asked about IOP/aftercare they only offered their program and for sober living Chris whipped out a big glossy brochure for THE BROWNSTONE-which is $8,000-$10,000 a month, or their women’s house( which is disgusting- I toured it). I suspected they are getting kick backs from The Brownstone and yep- an employee confirmed it.
Don’t even get me started on the food- carbs, carbs, carbs and Rice Krispie treats. Forget it if you have dietary issues( diabetes, gluten, etc). I am diabetic and was given an over cooked mercury filled tuna steak, bland lentils and bokchoy 2 x a day for 30 days.
So sad. This place has nothing to offer you.
This place is special and I will be forever grateful for my time spent here. The staff, accomodations, programming schedule, and the food are all top notch! I highly recommend the retreat to anyone struggling with addiction.
The Retreat saved my life. I relapsed after 6 years sober and found returning to the program extremely difficult. The way they helped me immerse myself back into the steps was exactly what I needed. Now I’m in fire for AA and I am so grateful that this place exists for real alcoholics and addicts like me to recover.
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you so much for sharing your story. We’re honored to have been a part of your journey and are inspired by your courage and commitment to recovery. It means the world to hear that The Retreat helped reignite your passion for AA and gave you the support you needed to reconnect with the program. We're so grateful you’re part of this community. Keep going—one day at a time. - Alex C 
Rehab Score
Our Methodology
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7.9 / 10
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Other Forms of Payment
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient rehabs typically provide a full continuum of care both for clients in early recovery and for those who are well advanced in their recovery journey. Their levels of care typically include partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), sober living/halfway housing, and standard outpatient programming. Many outpatient facilities offer evening, night, and weekend services, including addiction counseling and recovery-focused life skills training, to accommodate clients' work and family schedules.
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Rehab aftercare programs provide robust, wraparound care for clients who have completed detox and/or intensive inpatient rehab. Their services may vary widely, but typically include peer coaching, relapse prevention support, 12 step program induction, career counseling, and related community reintegration services. The client's case manager and recovery team coordinates with the client to identify the rehab aftercare services they need to promote their sustained sobriety.
12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
The community of St Paul is one of the most vibrant recovery communities in the country. They operate six long-term sober-living Residences in St Paul’s historic Crocus Hill neighborhood which serve as transitional, self-governing sober living facilities for men and women. The Residences give individuals the opportunity to practice the principles of recovery in their daily lives. With close proximity to AA meetings, coffee houses and employment opportunities, residents become fully immersed in the recovery community and are provided the time, structure and support essential to building a strong foundation of recovery.
When individuals first enter rehab, they may be malnourished due to substance use. They may also suffer from illness, organ damage, or other medical issues. 24-hour clinical care in Minnesota provides on-call staff who can monitor these conditions and provide appropriate treatment 24/7. This setting helps individuals who need substance use disorder treatment get the physical as well as psychological support they need.
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Drug addiction is defined as an inability to stop using drugs even though it causes negative consequences in your life. Drug rehab in Minnesota provides treatment for drug addiction in a variety of settings including inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Substance rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction (both illegal and prescription drugs). They often include the opportunity to engage in both individual as well as group therapy.
Programs
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation. The Retreat’s Family program gives families and friends of alcoholics and addicts tools to effectively support their loved one in the face of the confusion and chaos of addiction.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Amenities
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Private Setting -
Walking Trails
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
John Curtiss
Co-Founder,CEO & President
Lisa Shaughnessy
Director of Development
DeAnna Loux
Director of Human Resources & Business Development
Rich Murphy
Director of Admissions and Marketing
Accreditations
LegitScript has reviewed The Retreat as part of their certification program, and has determined that it meets the LegitScript standards for legality, safety and transparency.
LegitScript verified in November 2019
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) is a professional association that represents organizations in the field of addiction services. Founded in 1978, NAATP's mission is to advance addiction services and ensure that high-quality addiction treatment is available and accessible.
NAATP Member: Yes
Member ID: 584
Contact Information
1221 Wayzata Blvd E
Wayzata, MN 55391
Get Help Now - 651-419-8121
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