Retreat Testimonials

There are many pathways to recovery. The Retreat offers people a way to find hope and healing through a unique model that captures the essence of the Twelve Steps. The Retreat is the catalyst for change that many people need to convert a head filled with treatment into a heart full of recovery. . . . The Twelve Step program works when we work it, and The Retreat helps people work it.

The Retreat is the greatest thing that has happened in the recovery field in a long, long time. Essentially, The Retreat has gone back to what works to get people sober. It has returned to the basics, which means focusing on the spiritual principles of recovery—the Twelve Steps. It gives people what they need to recover, and that’s why The Retreat has been so successful. It is first and foremost on my list of centers.

Mainstream treatment centers today have gotten away from the Twelve Steps. You don’t even hear the word ‘spiritual’ anymore. And if a patient doesn’t get the basics, they’re not going to stay sober. The Retreat employs a simple, quieter, spiritually based approach to care. They stick with the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions—the spiritual comes first. They believe in the original mission of addressing the illness, and they do it with the utmost dignity and respect for the patient.

The Retreat’s success is due largely to the Twelve Steps. The people who struggle with the problem are the people who deliver the message of recovery, or share their successes. It’s not theoretical or abstract-based; it’s the experience of the program, and you can’t argue with experience. Everyone on our staff is in recovery; we know it works. The people who come to The Retreat are integrated into the community of recovery right away. The message is very clear here: to keep the program, you must give it away.

We provide a mutually supportive, educational residential program with more than 300 volunteers interacting with our guests. Our volunteers—passionate about the Twelve Step solution to recovery—are the direct agents of change at The Retreat. It’s God working through community. It’s a wonderful philosophy. We’re all in this together. Every day these volunteers model to our guests what it’s like to be an active member of the recovery community. Our guests are surrounded by it, they see it, and they want to live it.

In a country of 4 million people with only an estimated 100 beds for addiction treatment, the need for a program like The Retreat in New Zealand was tremendous. We are the first volunteer-based residential recovery center in New Zealand. We received the full cooperation of The Retreat and we were able to experience the spirit of their program. Just as it is displayed with their guests, we received the same in our weeklong observance of The Retreat—balanced with integrity, professionalism and the spiritual approach, which is where we’re all coming from. We’re so grateful to John [Curtiss] and his team; it’s been amazing.

An emerging criticism of addiction treatment today is that it has departed from the more enduring aspect of recovery—from peer-based communities of recovery. A model like the Retreat is an effort to connect treatment to recovery. There’s a movement out there to get back to the basics to help ensure long-term recovery. Places like the Retreat will help fill the need for affordable, effective recovery…. The Retreat’s strength is connecting people to the best recovery resources and immersing them in the recovery community.

The potential for the Retreat model is unlimited. It’s a sad commentary on our health care system when 90 percent of the people in the country who need addiction care never access it. So, if we can provide an affordable alternative such as The Retreat, we can remove one of the biggest barriers to care.

Not wanting to reinvent the light bulb, we saw what had worked at The Retreat in the Twin Cities and we were very excited to bring all the lessons learned up there to Sioux Falls. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to draw upon the many years of experience represented by The Retreat. We have no question that what we’re doing is the right thing, because The Retreat has already proven it.

I went to the Retreat in Wayzata for the in patient program and then to their sober living in St. Paul. This has been a life changing experience. I have learned what real recovery is, real friendship is, and most importantly what real happiness is.

It is of great emotion that I write today of my experience at The Retreat. Has being 6 years since I participated in the program. Want to thank Kent Duffing, Men's Admissions Coordinator/Supervisor for his open communication and understanding of all of our needs. Had to cut it short of time but I can tell I have very good memories from this wonderful place.  Looking forward to visit again soon as an old friend...  Regards!!!

The Retreat saved my life and helped me become a member of a fellowship that is unbelievable. The staff truly cares for the guests and are active within the recovery community. I had been to 11 clinical treatment centers before and none of them compares to what I received at the Retreat.

ThroughThe Retreat you will have the opportunity to find yourself. Clients are all devoted and engaged in their program. They have a chef that creates a heck of a menu. Meals are phenomenal! Employees actually care about us alcoholics/addicts, and guide you along the way. I can honestly say it’s the best choice I’ve ever made getting myself into The Retreat.

I attended The Retreat’s family program at the end of 2023 and would rate it more stars if I could, based on how much I learned and gained from my stay. I was so grateful to ring in the new year with newfound happiness, joy, freedom & many new friends.
Excellent staff and experince.

I brought my friend here and this is his second time in a rehab. The first time he went to a really expensive 40k/month place and he immediately used when he got out. The retreat was the first place that actually helped him get sober and get his life on the right track. He’s 6-months sober and is better than ever. They make a huge effort to follow up since their residents leave and they have a really great supportive community. 10/10 recommend. Also much more cost friendly since a large majority of their staff is volunteering

This special place introduced me to the recovery community and taught me the practical skills and tools to live life on life's terms. They care deeply about their guests and offer practical solutions that work. They also give men the dignity of single rooms and the food and nutrition is outstanding. That is important when you arrive depleted as most do. I cannot reccomend highly enough this affordable, community-centered program that has helped thousands of people and has significant scholarship assistance. They are not 'all about the money' as so many clinical programs are and have to be. This is truly a different place than your typical treatment center, surrounded by a beautiful forest for meditative walks, social walks, or health-returning walks, jogs or runs. Please do yourself or your loved one a favor and give them a call. Hope, healing, and solutions are readily available here.

My retreat stay was wonderful, great people, caring staff, friends and a community that stays together and continues to grow in and around the area, best decision I ever made. Thank you so much to The retreat ! 3 months sober last Sunday!!

As a referent for The Retreat for about five years, I cannot recommend this program enough. Their 12-step immersion program helps men and women have a solid foundation of recovery that they can build on for years to come. If you're thinking of going to treatment and want an incredible experience with a network of alums to lean on, The Retreat is the place to go!