Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation - St. Paul

Who is this facility a good fit for?

• Best fit if: Adults who need structured substance use treatment but are able to live at home; want access to virtual or evening care options; have substance use and/or co-occurring mental health concerns they want addressed together; value peer-based recovery; and are comfortable with a 12-Step approach.
• Not a fit if: Adults who need on-site withdrawal management (detox); require a residential setting; desire a recovery program without a 12-Step approach; and cannot commit to an initial IOP schedule of 4 days per week for 3 hours per day.

What to expect

Developing your care plan

• Intake and assessment: During intake, clients take a brief phone questionnaire covering basic information. After this, clients undergo a 60–90-minute phone assessment with a licensed addiction counselor that addresses clinical history and current needs to help determine the appropriate level and length of care.
• Program length and step-down care: Care plans adjust with the clients’ changing needs with the IOP usually lasting 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks, depending on the client’s progress during treatment. As milestones are met, care becomes less frequent.

Who you will meet with

• Counselors and mental health providers: A dedicated substance use counselor works with each client during individual therapy, 12-Step guidance, and aftercare planning. Mental health providers also support clients with co-occurring mental health conditions alongside substance use concerns.
• Peer support: Clients have regular opportunities to connect with peers while taking part in treatment. The frequency of recurring groups creates an environment where peers with similar lived experiences can support each other through peer interaction.

Typical schedule

• Schedule and treatment activities: The IOP starts at 4 days per week for 3 hours per day, with morning and evening options available in person or virtually. Care includes substance use-focused group therapy, individual counseling, recovery skill-building, and integrated care for co-occurring mental health conditions. Clients also receive 12-Step education and are encouraged to attend NA and AA meetings and find a sponsor. Random drug screenings are also part of treatment.
• Supportive housing: Though most outpatient clients live at home, supportive housing may also be available, offering clients the ability to access additional structure and accountability during early recovery.

Aftercare

• Continued planning: Aftercare planning is incorporated during treatment through the client’s dedicated counselor. This may include stepping down in frequency of care, including once-a-week treatment toward the end of the program. Clients can also continue to take part in NA, AA, and their 12-Step community.

Pre-admissions experience

We conducted a series of pre-admissions calls, the most recent on September 9, 2026, to evaluate response time, transparency, and patient experience.

When we contacted Hazelden Betty Ford St. Paul, we reached patient access coordinator Susan on the first attempt. They were warm, patient, and easy to talk to, providing clear information about scheduling, assessments, program options, and aftercare without making the conversation feel sales-focused.

Client reviews

Reviews of Hazelden Betty Ford in St. Paul describe a mix of experiences. Many reviewers credit the program, counselors, and broader care team with helping them build recovery skills or sustain sobriety, while others raise concerns about cost, communication, program structure, and specific staff interactions.

• Treatment quality & outcomes (70% positive): Many reviewers describe meaningful progress through treatment, including learning coping skills, maintaining sobriety, and adjusting to life after more intensive care. Other reviews describe programming as insufficiently personalized or too heavily centered on Alcoholics Anonymous-style approaches. “Hazelden taught me how to live a healthy life again and gave me my life back.”
• Staff & care experience (65% positive): Reviewers frequently praise counselors, nurses, doctors, and other staff for being caring, professional, and invested in recovery. Other reviewers report inconsistent experiences with communication, including concerns about responsiveness. “Treated with the utmost respect and genuine care and concern.”
• Support & community (65% positive): Several reviewers describe group programming and peer support as important parts of their recovery, with some noting a strong sense of connection during treatment. A few family members describe feeling isolated or dissatisfied with communication involving loved ones. “Build a community of people fighting the addiction.”
• Access & process: Experiences with logistics and administration vary considerably. Some reviewers valued convenient access, including virtual programming and having multiple services in one location. Others raised concerns about program costs, billing, communication, or coordination of care.

Facility transparency

• Verified by Start Your Recovery: On September 22, 2026, our research team conducted a comprehensive review of this facility's advertising claims, registrations from public health departments, national accrediting bodies, and SAMHSA.
• Pre-admissions experience evaluation: Most recent call conducted on September 9, 2026.