Retreats
A retreat creates a special period of time for prayer, silence, rest, simplicity and
contemplation. It can be both a “time out” from life’s daily stresses as well as an opportunity
to deepen one’s experience of self and the universal energy that surrounds and supports us. There are different
types of retreat experiences, including silent retreats, directed retreats offered at many religious facilities, or secular retreats featuring experiential workshops.
Featured
Wisconsin Agape
(wisconsinagape.org)
Located in a wooded rural setting near Milwaukee, weekend 12 step retreats for members of all recovery fellowships are held four times a year. Long format marathon meetings allow for in depth sharing. The suggested donation for the weekend is $50.
Alphabetical
Casa Hamaca Guesthouse (casahamaca.com/Pages/Offer.Sober.html)
Casa Hamaca in the Yucatan of Mexico is geared toward sober travel. In May, 2010 they held their first sober retreat called Recovery & Discovery Retreat Week, designed as a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual experience to facilitate meaning in one's daily life. The retreat includes fellowship, meetings, twelve step work and climbing pyramids. Quarterly retreats are planned.
Dan Anderson Renewal Center at Hazelden (hazelden.org/web/go/renewalcenter)
Situated on Hazelden's 500-acre wooded campus in Center City, MN, the Renewal Center provides a peaceful setting for group interaction or private times of reflection. Retreat structures are flexible and can include one of their special Recovery Retreat programs or day, week or longer stays as part of one’s ongoing recovery program. These retreats are designed to meet the spiritual recovery needs of individuals who are actively involved in any Twelve-Step program. Guests do not have to be Hazelden alumni to participate.
Holistic Retreat Addiction Recovery (holisticintegrativetherapies.net/workshops/holistic-recovery-retreat)
Developed by a licensed psychotherapist with certification in addictions and trauma resolution, this holistic retreat focuses on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of recovery. It will be held July 18th to 23rd at Mt. Alvernia Monastery in Wappinger Falls, NY.
House of Principles (houseofprinciples.com)
Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, this sober housing facility for men in furnished apartments is based on the 12 steps and the 12 principles. The minimum lease is six to twelve months. Access is provided to 24/7 on site managers and staff to address any questions or concerns as well as to Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs; family, legal, or individual counseling; group therapy sessions; educational groups about recovery and addiction; hands-on life skills training; transportation to and from 12-Step Meetings, and more.
Jesuit Retreat House (jesuitretreathouse.org/retreats.cfm)
This Catholic retreat house located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin welcomes people of all faiths to their four-day and eight-day retreats. Specific retreats are designated for men and women in 12-Step recovery programs.
New Beginning Ministry (newbeginningmin.org)
Located in Wayne County, PA, this retreat program is a faith-based twelve-step program for recovery. It offers a safe and structured environment for those with substance addiction to learn about the problem of addiction, the solution to addiction, and the program of action that leads to change. Recovery retreats are in a residential community for alcohol and drug dependence. New Beginning represents a non-medical approach to alcohol and drug addiction based on a spirit-centered community.
Open Door Retreat (opendoorretreat.com)
Run by a certified alcohol and drug counselor and certified equine therapist, this program for women in recovery offers week-long retreats in a peaceful setting in Mexico. Retreats are scheduled twice a month. The weekly rate is $1,900 double occupancy. The retreat focuses on a holistic approach to recovery and personal growth including meditation and relaxation, 12 step meetings, massage, yoga, the arts, cooking classes and other supportive activities.
Retreats Online (retreatsonline.com)
Covers a wide variety of retreat experiences including spiritual/religious retreats, nature retreats, health and wellness retreats and others in the U.S., Canada, Asia, Europe and the UK.
Serenity Retreats (serenityretreats.eu)
Located on the Atlantic ocean in Southwest Ireland, these 4-day retreat programs consist of creative workshops, daily AA and NA meetings, massage, beach meditation, nutritious meals, and opportunities for one-on-one counseling. They provide a chance to renew and recommit to your chosen recovery program. All recovery philosophies are welcome. Fee is $495 euros per person.
Serenity Retreat League (serenityretreatleague.org)
Founded by the late Father Frederick G. Lawrence in 1964 at the request of an Al-Anon group, Serenity Retreats now serve members of many Twelve Step programs. These retreats are an extension of the spiritual growth nurtured by all Twelve Step fellowships and pursued by each individual in his or her own way. Serenity Retreats are nondenominational, ecumenical and spiritual rather than specifically religious. The leaders may be Catholic, Protestant, Jewish ministers or laypersons. Only spiritual leaders familiar with Twelve Step programs lead Serenity Retreats. Click on Scheduled Retreats in the left menu bar for an online list of retreats organized by month or by location.
Total Health Recovery Program (totalhealthrecoveryprogram.com)
This holistic recovery program integrates spirituality, addiction and holistic treatment to provide the opportunity for profound healing. THRP offers a two week residential substance abuse program which is held at Sunrise Springs, a retreat center. Diagnostic, assessment and treatment protocols consist of live cell blood analysis, saliva and neurotransmitter assessments, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, yoga, and meditation, among other approaches. Programs are held when enough people sign up for a recovery program.
Transformations Spirituality Center, Sisters of St. Joseph (transformationscenter.org/12step-2.htm)
Located in southwest Michigan, this interfaith spiritual community offers retreats for men and women in recovery from alcohol addiction. The focus is to help those in recovery discover new levels of the 12 step philosophy in a quiet atmosphere led by experienced 12 step facilitators. There are evening long mini-retreats as well as full day and weekend retreats, all focusing on specific areas of recovery.
Wisconsin Agape
(wisconsinagape.org)
Located in a wooded rural setting near Milwaukee, weekend 12 step retreats for members of all recovery fellowships are held four times a year. Long format marathon meetings allow for in depth sharing. The suggested donation for the weekend is $50.
Yoga Farm Retreats (sivananda.org/farm)
Located in the Sierra foothills of Northern California, the Yoga,
Ayurveda and 12 Step Recovery Retreat is offered two times a year. The
retreat is based on the 4 Paths of Yoga, 5 Points of Yoga, Ayurveda,
Svastha (being established in the self) and Meditation. The therapists
are active members of 12 step programs and the retreat offers an
opportunity to relate 12 step work to the ancient teachings of yoga and
Ayurveda in order to provide a strong foundation for wellness and a
deepening spiritual practice. Their other ashrams in the Bahamas, New
York and Canada may also be offering this retreat in the future.
The Yoga Farm offers retreats year round on many spiritual areas -
meditation, yoga, vegetarian cooking, vedic astrology, karma yoga,
selfless service retreats, workstudy months and more.
Yoga Of Recovery (yogaofrecovery.com)
Yoga of Recovery offers retreats, workshops and certificate courses integrating the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India) with the tools of 12-Step recovery. These programs offer a holistic mind-body-spirit approach to addiction and recovery and are open to anyone working towards overcoming self-destructive or addictive tendencies.
Retreats are offered in various locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. Alcohol/ chemically dependent guests are required to have at least 3 months of continuous sobriety before attending a retreat.
Holiday Retreats
Sober Holidays (soberholidays.ie)
Sober Holidays provides alcohol free holidays in the hills of Monchique close to the coast on the Algarve in Portugal. This holiday/retreat is suitable for people in recovery from addiction or anyone who cannot or does not want to drink alcohol. Sober holidays and sober retreats are important for people in the early stages of recovery from addiction and/or illness.
Retreats for Family and Caregivers
Alternative View (alternativeview.eu)
Alternative View runs therapeutic respite breaks in Southern Spain that help
parents, partners and care givers of drug and alcohol users take time out,
relax and recuperate.
Support includes drug and alcohol awareness, coping strategies for dealing with drug and alcohol misuse, one on one support sessions, and an ongoing support strategy.
