The Characteristics & Effectiveness of Oxford House Recovery Residences: 2010 Review Recovery Research Institute

On the ground floor, a double-height gallery space forms the heart of Copper Bottom. oxford house traditions It sits alongside an open-plan living room and kitchen with a mezzanine level designed as a space for home working. “The starting points were a compact form, a roof maximising southerly aspect for solar panels, and an envelope which sheltered the windows from high sun,” said James.

What is the Model?

Once more applications are received than there are beds available, the members of any Oxford House will begin to look around for another suitable house. When they find such a house they will bring it up with the other existing Houses and if there is a consensus they will attempt to find the start up money and members to fill the new house. Often several members of an existing House will move into the new House to provide a core group of new members who already know how an Oxford House works.

Q. What is the “ideal” number of individuals to assure a well-run self-run, self-supported recovery house?

Wooden beams are roughly hewn and finished, while stone gargoyles – like small guardians of the house – peep out from various nooks impassively registering the passage of time. Meanwhile, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/wet-mush-brain-from-alcoholism-symptoms-and-dangers/ on top of the house, two “ears” form ventilation stacks designed to draw in cool night air and expel hot air accumulated throughout the day during the summer months. “We found that participants assigned to a communal living Oxford House compared to usual care condition had significantly less substance use and criminal involvement and, significantly better employment outcomes.” Oxford House has enabled peer-run, self-sustaining, and substance-free housing since 1975.

• Compared to other facilities, Oxford Houses are self-run and provide a structured, cost-effective option for maintaining sobriety with a supportive peer network.
• The house’s superstructure has also been designed with a focus on airtightness.
• There are over 3500 self-sustaining Oxford Houses in the United States and more than 24,000 individuals in recovery living in these houses at any one time during the year.
• The residents are responsible for maintaining a drug-free environment and managing household expenses collaboratively.

Here’s how to apply.

By comparison to other facilities, Oxford House is unique in its approach by offering structure and accountability without the supervision of professional staff. After residential treatment — especially for substance use addiction (SUD), mental health disorders, or those with dual diagnoses — many individuals return to environments with high relapse risks. Family and friends may unintentionally expose them to drugs and alcohol, work stress can escalate, and isolation may start Halfway house to feel like an option. Sober living facilities are vital stepping stones for individuals in recovery from substance use or those who have completed residential treatment. Two standard options include Oxford Houses and halfway houses, each offering unique benefits and structures.

Residents must abide by rules prohibiting alcohol or drug use, demonstrating financial responsibility, and participating in house management. Compared to other facilities, Oxford Houses are self-run and provide a structured, cost-effective option for maintaining sobriety with a supportive peer network. What sets Oxford Houses apart from traditional sober living homes is their democratic model, where residents actively participate in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of accountability and community. Unlike many traditional sober living homes, Oxford Houses do not have a staff presence or formal treatment programs; instead, they rely on residents to manage the house and support one another.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Oxford House Model works.

An Oxford House member can stay as long as they like, provided they stay drug and alcohol free, are not disruptive, and pay their share of house expenses. In its simplest form, an Oxford House is a shared residence where people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can live together and support each other in a drug and alcohol-free environment. Oxford House, Inc. is a separate nonprofit organization that employs field staff to provide technical assistance to the network of houses to help expand the Oxford House Model. An Oxford House Chapter is an additional level of support for individual Oxford Houses.

• When they find such a house they will bring it up with the other existing Houses and if there is a consensus they will attempt to find the start up money and members to fill the new house.
• Oxford House should rely on democratically-chosen leaders, but the leaders must always be but trusted servants.
• Oxford Houses are built upon the principle of mutual support among recovering individuals, wherein they help each other in achieving a sober lifestyle.
• While Oxford House is not affiliated with AA or NA, its members realize that recovery Substance Use Disorder can only be assured by the changing  of their lifestyle through full participation in AA and NA.
• A house must have six or more residents in order to be recognized or chartered by Oxford House.

The resident’s support team generally determines the length of stay, which ranges from a few months to a year. An Oxford House is a unique recovery home designed for individuals recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, focusing on self-governance and mutual support among residents. Each house operates democratically, where residents share responsibilities, pay household expenses, and collectively make decisions, fostering a sense of community and accountability.

• At AAC, we offer trained and compassionate admissions navigators that can help answer questions about treatment and recovery.
• Residents are often involved in treatment programs, attend support group meetings, and participate in other wellness activities together.
• This collaborative approach creates a strong community bond for individual recovery and personal growth.
• Halfway houses are ideal for individuals who need structured support in early recovery, particularly those transitioning from treatment centers, incarceration, or facing challenging life circumstances.
• We are visually recognizing our growth with a unified look that better reflects who we are today and the passion we have for helping everyone with their addiction and mental health recovery journeys.
• In Oxford House, each member equally shares the responsibility for the running of the House and upholding the Oxford House tradition.
• First of all, no Oxford House may permit individuals to remain as members if those individuals are drinking or using drugs.

Some are able to keep from drinking in spite of the loneliness with which they were faced. The alcoholic or drug addict alone begins to compare himself to those members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous who still have family and friends. Loneliness and self-pity soon lead such individuals back to alcoholic drinking or drug use.