Frequently Asked Questions

The Pittsburgh Retreat's mission is to help individuals and families affected by addiction, by providing an educational and spiritual retreat,  grounded in the principles of the 12 Steps of AA.

First developed in 1935 by Bill Wilson & Dr. Bob, the Twelve Steps of AA is a spiritual program of recovery designed to help individuals suffering from addiction attain long-lasting sobriety. 

Recent findings published by faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine confirm that the established practices of twelve steps programs (such as AA) are by far the most effective for achieving sustained recovery, on every criterion considered in the study.

Anyone who has admitted that they have a problem with alcoholism or drug dependency and wish to pursue drug free recovery are welcome.This programming is not for everyone,. Why? This program is designed for our guests to live a completely drug free life; this includes abstaining from Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) using Methadone, Suboxone, etc. The Pittsburgh Retreat is another option or choice for people wanting to be well and to move their life in a positive and healthy direction.

Guests stay a minimum length of 30 days, or they may choose to extend their stay up to 90 days.

No. Although the Twelve Steps of AA are based on spiritual principles, many nonreligious people have found the program extremely helpful. The language emphasizes the presence of God as each person understands God, allowing for different interpretations and religious beliefs.

Overcoming addiction, and establishing a strong recovery requires learning how to live life differently. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) using Methadone, Suboxone etc., can become substitutes for the work of recovery. Grounded in the principles of AA, the Pittsburgh Retreat is dedicated to helping our guests face life on life’s terms, without the use of “agonist” treatments. While these drugs may be helpful in the short term, they can become deadly in the long term. The goal of the Pittsburgh Retreat is to help our guests become free of all mood-altering drugs. 

The Pittsburgh Retreat is not a treatment center. It is a respite for those who have identified and accepted that they have a primary problem with alcohol and/or drugs. We offer a supportive, nurturing, and educational experience grounded in the Twelve Steps of AA. Conversely, most treatment centers offer detox, as well as medical and psychological support.

Pittsburgh Retreat is singularly focused on the Twelve Steps of AA, as a spiritual and educational solution to addiction. We ask that guests arrive completely free of all mind-altering substances.

Although we do not offer medical, clinical, or psychological services onsite, we do offer a network of professionals with whom we can recommend and coordinate an appointment if requested. 

Currently, the model at The Retreat in Minnesota charges $5,600 a month and offers scholarships to support low-income guests. We project our costs to be comparable to the cost model in Minnesota. Initially, we need to factor in startup costs to make the model sustainable. Our business model has been designed to be self-sustaining and

supports itself over time. In addition, The Retreat in Minnesota found that people need to pay something to attend the programming. For someone to enter a traditional treatment center in comparable surroundings, we estimate the cost to be between $30k and $60k