The Retreat - AddictionRehab.com

About The Retreat - 12-Step Rehab in Minnesota

Located on a peaceful, wooded campus in Wayzata, Minnesota, The Retreat offers a unique and affordable alternative to clinical addiction treatment. This program is a supportive-educational community deeply rooted in the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is designed for individuals seeking an immersive AA experience rather than medical or psychological therapy. With separate residential programs for men and women, The Retreat provides a structured, peer-supported environment focused on Big Book study and practical application of the 12-Steps. As a self-pay, non-clinical facility, it serves as a powerful resource for those committed to an abstinence-based recovery path built on fellowship and spiritual growth.

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Facility Photos

Treatment Services

Residential A 30-90 day immersive, non-clinical program based on the 12-Steps of AA.

Evening Program An 18-week, non-clinical group program focused on 12-Step principles for those living at home.

Virtual Program Online access to the same educational services and peer support as the in-person Evening Program.

Sober Housing Long-term sober living residences for men and women to support continued recovery after the main program.

Substance Use Peer-led support focused on alcohol and drug dependency through the lens of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Food Addiction A specialized retreat focused on recovery from food addiction using 12-Step principles.

Therapies Offered

12-Step ImmersionThe core of the program is a deep dive into the principles and practices of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Big Book StudyDaily groups dedicated to studying the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Peer-Led GroupsAll sessions are facilitated by members of the recovering community, not licensed clinicians.

Family ProgramA 4-day residential program for family and friends to learn about recovery and the 12-Steps.

Spiritual PrinciplesFocus on the spiritual, not religious, aspects of recovery as outlined in the 12-Steps.

4th & 5th Step WorkStructured time and guidance to complete a personal inventory and share it with another person.

Amenities & More Info

Shared RoomsGuests stay in dorm-style rooms with roommates to foster community and peer support.

Smoking PermittedCigarettes and vapes are allowed in designated outdoor areas.

No Personal PhonesCell phones and laptops are not allowed. Guests can use a landline phone and receive mail. Phone access is on Sundays from 2-5pm.

No MAT AllowedThis is a strict abstinence-based program. Medications like Suboxone, Adderall, or any opioids are not permitted.

Cash Pay OnlyThe Retreat does not accept insurance and is a private pay facility. Partial scholarships may be available.

Gender-Separate ProgramsMen and women have separate residential programs, including housing and groups, to maintain focus.

Fitness RoomA fitness room is available for guests to use during their personal time.

55Plus ProgramA specialized hybrid program for individuals seeking recovery later in life.

Basic Diet OptionsA salad bar and vegetable items are available, but there is no specific menu for dietary restrictions like vegetarianism.

Memberships & Affiliations

NAATP Member

National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers

MARRCH Member

MN Association of Resources for Recovery & Chemical Health

MASH Member

Minnesota Association of Sober Homes

She Recovers

Affiliated with the She Recovers Foundation

Facility Opened: 1991

A Community Approach to Recovery

The Retreat's programs are built on the foundation of peer support and an immersive study of the 12-Steps. Unlike clinical treatment centers, the focus is on shared experience and spiritual growth within a structured, supportive community. Each program is designed to help individuals build a strong foundation for a life of recovery.

Men's & Women's Residential Program

Core 12-Step Immersion

Typical Stay: 30-90 Days

The primary program is a residential stay where guests live on campus and engage in a daily schedule of Big Book study, group meetings, and 12-Step work. Men's and women's programs are run completely separately to ensure a focused environment.

A Typical Daily Schedule Includes:

7:15 AMMeditation Practice

7:30 AMBreakfast

8:00 AMBig Book Study Group

10:00 AMLiving Sober Study Group

11:00 AMLecture Presentation

12:00 PMLunch

1:00 PMCommunity Meeting, Meditation, or Step Work

2:00 PMBig Book Worksheets Group

3:00 PMPersonal Time

6:00 PMDinner

7:00 PMIn-House or Outside AA Meeting

9:00 PMTenth Step Group

Evening Recovery Program

Flexible Support for Local Residents

Program Length: 18 Weeks

This program offers the same 12-Step educational curriculum as the residential stay but in a non-residential format, with groups meeting several evenings a week. A virtual option is also available, providing flexibility for those who cannot attend in person.

Sober Housing

Continued Support for Long-Term Sobriety

Aftercare Option

For those who have completed a residential program, The Retreat offers sober living residences for both men and women. This provides a structured, accountable, and supportive environment to transition back into daily life.

Family Program

Healing for the Whole Family

Program Length: 4 Days

A dedicated 4-day residential program for family members and friends of those struggling with addiction. It provides education on the disease of addiction and the 12-Step path to recovery, helping loved ones understand how they can best support the recovery process.

Environment & Accommodations

The Retreat is located on a serene campus in the Wayzata Big Woods, formerly a convent. The environment is not a clinical hospital but a community-focused residential setting. The facility has a total capacity for up to 41 men and 30 women, who are housed and programmed separately to ensure a focused recovery environment. The spacious property allows for quiet reflection and walks, though guests are required to remain on campus for the duration of their stay.

Former Convent Setting

The unique architecture provides a peaceful and structured environment that is distinct from a typical house or clinical facility.

Dorm-Style Rooms

All guests share a room with roommates in a dorm-style setup. This is designed to break isolation and build fellowship among peers.

Gender-Specific Programs

The men's and women's programs are completely separate, including living quarters and all group activities, to foster a safe and focused atmosphere.

Policies & Rules

Open Campus

This is not a locked facility, and guests are free to walk the grounds. However, they are required to remain on the property at all times.

No MAT Policy

As a strict abstinence-based program, Medication-Assisted Treatment (Suboxone, Methadone) and other controlled substances (stimulants, opioids) are not permitted.

Smoking/Vaping Allowed

Smoking cigarettes and vaping are permitted in designated outdoor areas only. Guests should bring enough supplies for their stay.

Electronics Policy

No personal cell phones, laptops, or internet-enabled devices are allowed. Phone access is limited to Sundays from 2-5 PM using facility landlines.

Family Contact & Visits

A comprehensive family program is offered. On-site family visitation is permitted on Sundays from 2 PM to 5 PM.

Prohibited Items

Leave non-recovery literature (novels), energy drinks, and any alcohol-containing toiletries at home. A full list will be provided upon admission.

Program & Philosophy

Learn about the program's unique 12-Step focus and non-clinical model.

Why choose us? What makes it different than other addiction treatment centers?

The Retreat is a non-clinical, supportive-educational environment focused entirely on the Twelve Steps of AA. Unlike licensed treatment centers, we do not have medical staff or licensed therapists. Our program is led by members of the recovering community, offering an immersive and affordable path to sobriety based on peer support and spiritual principles.

Does this program use the 12-steps?

Yes, the entire program is based on the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is an AA immersion program, and participation in AA meetings and Big Book study is mandatory.

What types of therapies are used?

As a non-clinical program, we do not offer formal therapies like CBT, DBT, or EMDR. Our approach is educational and supportive, centered on an in-depth study of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, peer-led group discussions, and working the 12-Steps.

How do you treat dual diagnosis / co-occurring disorders?

The Retreat is not a licensed medical or clinical facility and does not treat co-occurring mental disorders. We focus solely on recovery from addiction through the 12-Steps. Guests must be mentally and emotionally stable to participate.

Is the program faith-based?

The program is grounded in the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is spiritual but not religious. It is open to people of all beliefs, including those with no religious affiliation.

How long has this facility been open?

The Retreat was founded and has been offering services since 1991.

Cost & Admission

Find answers about our affordable self-pay model and what's required for admission.

What will my costs be for treatment?

The Retreat is an affordable self-pay program. The residential program costs $6,900 for the first 30 days and $6,100 for each additional 30-day period. The 18-week Evening Program costs $3,400. Partial scholarship assistance may be available for those who qualify.

Do you accept insurance?

No, we do not accept insurance or Medicaid. We are a cash-pay facility, which allows us to keep our costs significantly lower than traditional treatment centers.

Do you provide detoxification services?

No, we are not a medical facility and do not offer detox. Guests must be detoxified and medically stable before admission.

Is Suboxone (MAT) permitted?

No. As a strict, abstinence-based program, we do not allow guests to be on any form of Medication-Assisted Treatment (like Suboxone or Methadone) or other controlled substances like stimulants or opioids.

Daily Life & Rules

Details on living arrangements, what to bring, and facility policies.

How long will I be there?

The typical residential stay is 30 days, though programs can extend up to 90 days. We also offer a 10-day Relapse Program and a Rest & Renewal Program for shorter stays focused on specific recovery needs.

What is the living situation like? Can I get my own room?

The living quarters are dorm-style. All guests have shared rooms and bathrooms. Private rooms are not available, as the shared living arrangement is an intentional part of fostering community and peer support.

Is this a closed/locked facility?

No, it is an open campus, and the doors are not locked. Guests have the freedom to walk the spacious property but are required to remain on campus for the duration of their program.

Can I use my phone/laptop? Is smoking allowed?

Yes, smoking and vaping are permitted in designated outdoor areas. Personal electronics like phones and laptops are not allowed. Guests have access to facility landlines on Sundays from 2-5 PM.

What should I bring? What should I leave at home?

Bring: Comfortable clothes, an alarm clock (no WiFi), notebook, recovery-based books, and alcohol-free toiletries.
Leave at home: Laptops, cell phones, tablets, energy drinks, and any non-recovery reading material like novels.

Support, Staff & Community

Information on our peer-led model, family involvement, and community environment.

Who provides care here? Are there psychiatrists on staff?

The program is peer-led. We do not have licensed professionals, doctors, or psychiatrists on staff. The daily program is provided by experienced members of the local recovering community who guide guests through the 12-Steps.

Who will be in treatment with me?

You will be with other adults who are serious about recovery through AA. Our community is diverse, with guests coming from Minnesota and across the country. The typical guest is around 38 years old, and many have prior treatment experience. Programs for men and women are separate. Our capacity is up to 41 men and 30 women.

What is the family involvement and visitation policy?

Family involvement is highly encouraged. We offer a 4-day residential Family Program. On-site family visits are permitted on Sundays from 2 PM to 5 PM.

What kind of aftercare and follow-up support is available?

We offer several aftercare options, including our 18-week Evening Program (in-person or virtual) and long-term sober-living residences for both men and women to provide a structured transition back to daily life.

Payment & Cost Information

No Insurance Accepted

The Retreat is a private, self-pay facility and does not accept any form of health insurance or Medicaid. This model allows them to offer their program at a significantly more affordable rate than traditional clinical treatment centers. Partial scholarship assistance may be available for those who qualify.

Self-Pay Costs

These are the direct costs for the programs. Please call to confirm current pricing and availability.

Residential (First 30 Days):$6,900
Residential (Additional 30 Days):$6,100
Evening Program (18 Weeks):$3,400

Online Ratings & Testimonials

4.4

Good Rating

Based on 141 Google reviews

Feedback at a Glance

Positive Feedback Summary

✔
Many reviewers state that The Retreat saved their life by providing a deep and authentic immersion into the 12-Steps of AA when other clinical treatments had failed.
✔
The affordable, self-pay cost is frequently mentioned as a huge benefit, making long-term residential support accessible to more people.
✔
The peer-led community and the compassionate, experienced staff (referred to as "program guides") are highly praised for creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

Negative Feedback Summary

Some negative reviews come from individuals who were not prepared for the strict, non-clinical, 12-Step-only model. A few reviewers felt the program could be rigid and expressed frustration with the lack of professional medical or therapeutic staff to address co-occurring mental health issues. Others mentioned that the experience can feel clique-ish at times.

What Former Guests Are Saying

"The Retreat is an amazing place. It's not treatment in the traditional sense, so if that is what you are looking for, this may not be a good fit. If you're looking for a deep dive into the 12 steps, and a path for long term sobriety, this IS the place. The staff are all in recovery and the level of care and empathy I was shown while there was top notch. So grateful for the 30 days I spent there."
— Brian D. (Google Review)

"This place saved my life. I went in broken and they loved me until I could love myself. The focus is on the solution through the 12 steps and sponsorship. It is not a clinical treatment center... it is a community of alcoholics and addicts helping each other. There is no better place to get a firm foundation for your recovery."
— Amber L. (Google Review)

Location & Contact

Find Us in Wayzata

Facility Address

The Retreat

1221 Wayzata Blvd

Wayzata, MN 55391

USA

Hours of Operation

Programs: Operating 24/7 for residential guests.
Admissions Line: Available 24/7 for inquiries.

Take the First Step

Call 24/7 for a free, confidential assessment with our admissions team.

(952) 476-0566