Articles Oxford Houses: A Comprehensive Guide to Sober Living Homes for Recovery

what is an oxford house

Each House represents a remarkably effective and low cost method of preventing relapse. This was the purpose of the first Oxford House established in 1975, and this purpose is served, day by day, house after house, in each of over 1,200 houses in the United States today. This was the purpose of the first Oxford House established in 1975, and this purpose is served, day by day, house after house, in each of over 2500 houses in the United States today. Residents may first move into homes with high levels of support and then transition to homes with lower levels of support. A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that most Oxford House residents stayed more than a year, but some residents stayed more than three years. Residents usually sign a contract or written agreement outlining all of the rules and regulations of living at the sober living home.

What Do Oxford Houses Offer?

Each house is self-run and self-supported following a standardized system of democratic operation. Each group obtains a charter from Oxford House, Inc., the umbrella organization for the national network of individual Oxford Houses. Oxford House Inc., is a non-profit, tax exempt, publicly supported corporation which acts as a umbrella organization for the national network of Oxford Houses. It provides quality control by organizing regional Houses into Chapters and by relying heavily https://ecosoberhouse.com/ upon the national network of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups. While Oxford House is not affiliated with AA or NA, its members realize that recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction can only be assured by the changing of their lifestyle through full participation in AA and NA. As soon as Oxford House Inc., hears of such problems, it takes corrective action because the good name of Oxford House is an important factor in the recovery of thousands of individuals.

what is an oxford house

Sober Living Home & Oxford House Rules

what is an oxford house

The example of Oxford House members going to AA or NA meetings on their own is contagious. By running Oxford House on a democratic basis, members of Oxford House become able to accept the authority of the group because the group is a peer group. Each member has an equal voice in the group and each has an opportunity to relearn responsibility and to accept decisions once they are made. Try to determine their optimism, willingness to offer support and motivation for remaining sober.

Support System and Meetings

  • These testimonials highlight the positive impact that Oxford Houses can have on individuals in the early stages of recovery from substance addiction.
  • “She either dropped a lit cigarette before she left or left tea lights burning, or both.
  • In Oxford House, each member equally shares the responsibility for the running of the House and upholding the Oxford House tradition.

Being community-based, the Oxford House Model has helped numerous individuals recover from addiction with nearly 3,000 houses in the United States and other countries. The goal of sober what is an oxford house living homes is to monitor and improve health, safety and wellness using peer support. The goal of many halfway houses is to reduce recidivism among felons using supervision.

  • Currently, the network of Oxford Houses is over 3,300 in the United States.
  • Most homes have household meetings nightly, and residents often attend treatment, support group meetings or other wellness activities together.
  • Experience of Oxford House has shown that from 8 to 15 members works very well.
  • To begin the admission process, you must fill out an Oxford House application.
  • Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the residents who elect officers to serve for terms of six months.

what is an oxford house

If an applicant does not get voted into one house he or she should try another house in the area. The Oxford House website contains an application and information about How to Apply to live in an Oxford House. Those who have benefited from an Oxford House have acquired enthusiasm for the Oxford House concept. In their enthusiasm, they have been anxious to share Oxford House with any recovering alcoholics and drug addicts who want to establish an Oxford House in their community. During the last days of our drinking or using drugs, most of us ceased to function as responsible individuals. We were not only dependent upon alcohol and/or drugs, but were also dependent on many others for continuing our alcoholic and/or drug addicted ways.

what is an oxford house

This prohibition requires local governments to make a reasonable accommodation in their zoning laws to enable handicap individuals to effectively deal with their disability. Failure to adhere to any of these three requirements would bring the entire Oxford House concept into question. Therefore, it is important that each Oxford House meet these minimum responsibilities in order for its charter to be continued. All Oxford Houses have been careful to avoid undo dependence on government or other outside funds. Every Oxford House member attributes his sobriety to Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous.

Types of Sober Living Homes

  • A major part of the Oxford House philosophy is that dependency is best overcome through an acceptance of responsibility.
  • It also acts as the coordinating body to help individual houses to organize mutually supportive chapters.
  • Some individuals live in Oxford Houses a few months, others, for many years.
  • Those democratic principles will also enable the members of a particular Oxford House to take pride in their new found responsibility.
  • The homes usually include a kitchen, common areas and laundry accommodations.

Is there a support network available for Oxford House residents to help with sober living goals?