A ribbon cutting and open house were held Friday afternoon to mark the official opening of The Retreat on Lake Bistineau, a new 28-day residential drug rehabilitation program for women.
Located on 30 acres of waterfront property, The Retreat offers a scenic and serene environment for recovery, with cypress trees, Spanish moss, and direct access to the lake. The facility includes an eight-bed dormitory known as The Lakehouse, complete with a kitchenette, two full bathrooms, and a counselor’s office. Nurses are onsite, and medication management is provided by a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
The Retreat is an extension of Active Recovery, LLC, a northwest Louisiana-based addiction recovery program founded in 2012 by Terri Schaffner. Schaffner, who serves as CEO and Clinical Director, has developed a recovery model that diverges from the traditional 12-step approach.
“I have three Active Recovery intensive outpatient programs: Minden, Shreveport, and Bossier,” Schaffner said during Friday’s event. “My dream was, by the time I’m 60, I wanted to have a residential women’s drug rehab for a 28-day program. I turned 60 and, four days later, I signed on this 30-acre property. I’ve been here a year now. It’s taken me that long [to get everything ready].
Active Recovery began as the first non-12-step program in the region, offering alternatives to those seeking help for addiction. The Retreat continues that tradition with a focus on holistic healing and women-centered therapies. Services include trauma counseling, parenting sessions, and codependency group therapy. Activities such as yoga, meditation, gardening, sourdough bread making, and meal preparation are also integrated into the recovery process.
The Retreat also offers recreational amenities including kayaking, fishing, volleyball, and swimming, as well as the opportunity to care for chickens and other miniature farm animals. Each day concludes with a Sunset Circle on the lake, promoting reflection and emotional connection among participants.
Weekends at The Retreat are designated for personal growth, with virtual visitation available for family contact. The facility’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space for women seeking recovery.
Schaffner, who has been in recovery since 2001 following 23 years of substance abuse, launched Active Recovery after earning a Master’s degree in 2010. She now oversees three outpatient locations and a team of 20 employees.
The Retreat on Lake Bistineau is now accepting new residents. For more information, call (318) 781-2141.
