A Full Range of Outpatient Services
First Step Recovery provides multiple levels of outpatient care to ensure you receive the right intensity of support at every stage of your journey. Programs are designed to be flexible, allowing you to heal while managing work, school, or family commitments.
Best For: Individuals needing a high level of therapeutic structure without requiring 24-hour residential care.
Time Commitment: High, 20 hours per week.
PHP is our most intensive outpatient program, providing a robust daily schedule of therapy and support. It serves as an effective alternative to inpatient care or as a step-down for those leaving a residential facility, helping you build a strong foundation for sobriety.
Best For: Individuals who need more support than traditional therapy but require flexibility for work, school, or family.
Time Commitment: Medium, 9 hours per week.
IOP provides a solid framework of group and individual therapy. With options for day and evening sessions, plus a virtual track for the day program, IOP is designed to integrate seamlessly into your life, teaching essential skills for long-term recovery.
Best For: Individuals stepping down from IOP or those needing ongoing support to maintain their recovery progress.
Time Commitment: Low, 3-5 hours per week.
LIOP is a less intensive program focused on reinforcing recovery skills and providing a consistent support network. It's an excellent way to continue your journey with professional guidance as you navigate everyday life.
Best For: Graduates of a primary treatment program who want to stay connected and strengthen their recovery.
Time Commitment: Low, weekly group meetings.
Recovery is a lifelong journey. Our Relapse Prevention Group serves as a continuing care program, offering a supportive community to help you navigate challenges and celebrate milestones long after you've completed primary treatment.
Clinic Environment & Policies
First Step Recovery provides care in a professional, safe, and confidential clinic setting in Fargo. As an outpatient-only facility, clients attend scheduled programming and return home each day, allowing them to practice their recovery skills in a real-world environment. The program fosters a supportive community, with group sizes typically ranging from 3 to 12 clients, ensuring personalized attention.
Groups are kept small (3-12 participants) to encourage connection and individualized care.
This is an open, outpatient clinic. Walk-ins are accepted for assessments and information.
Clients with existing prescriptions for MAT (e.g., Suboxone) are welcome, but the facility does not prescribe or manage these medications.
Our Treatment Team
Your recovery is guided by a dedicated team of professionals. Care is primarily delivered by Licensed Addiction Counselors who specialize in evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders. A Registered Nurse (RN) is also part of the team to provide medical oversight and support, ensuring a holistic approach to your health and well-being.
Program & Treatment
Learn about the program structure, therapy types, and treatment model.
First Step Recovery is primarily an evidence-based program, not a 12-step program. However, they incorporate some principles from AA and other 12-step models as part of a comprehensive therapeutic approach.
The length of stay is tailored to each client's individual needs and progress. A typical duration for completing the outpatient continuum of care is between 8 to 12 weeks.
Yes, the program is designed to treat co-occurring mental health disorders alongside addiction. The clinical team provides integrated care to address both conditions simultaneously, which is essential for lasting recovery.
Yes, clients who have an existing, valid prescription for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) like Suboxone can attend the program. However, First Step Recovery does not provide medication management or prescriptions for these medications.
No, First Step Recovery is an outpatient facility and does not offer medical detox services. Clients who require detox must complete it at a specialized facility before starting the program.
Cost & Logistics
Find answers about costs, insurance, and program logistics.
Costs vary by program. The estimated self-pay rates are: Intake assessment is $155, each IOP session is $222, and each PHP session is $441. The facility accepts Medicaid and can help with payment plans or vouchers for those who need financial assistance.
Yes. They are a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Preferred Provider and work with many other insurance companies. They also accept Medicaid (but not Medicare) and are an approved provider for the North Dakota SUD Voucher program.
No, this is an outpatient clinic. It is an open facility, and clients are free to come and go for their scheduled appointments. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Support & Staff
Information on the care team, family involvement, and peer environment.
The treatment team consists of Licensed Addiction Counselors and a Registered Nurse (RN). There are no doctors, psychiatrists, or psychologists on staff.
You will be in treatment with other coed adults from various backgrounds. The program is veteran-friendly and serves many clients on Medicaid. Group sizes are intimate, typically between 3 and 12 people.
Yes, they offer a Relapse Prevention Group which serves as a continuing care/aftercare program. This group is for individuals who have completed a primary treatment program and want ongoing support.
Payment & Cost Information
Insurance & Financial Aid
First Step Recovery accepts Medicaid and is an in-network, preferred provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. They also accept most other major private insurance plans. Medicare is not accepted. As a non-profit, they offer payment plans and accept the ND SUD Voucher to help make care affordable.
Self-Pay Estimate
For clients paying out-of-pocket, the following are estimated costs per session. Please call to confirm exact pricing.
- Intake Assessment:$155
- IOP Session:$222
- PHP Session:$441
Accepted Insurance May Include:
This is a partial list. The best way to confirm coverage is to contact their admissions team.
Medicaid
BCBS of ND
Sanford Health Plan
Aetna
Cigna
United Healthcare
Tricare
And Many More
