
Oxford House works by providing a structured, self-governing environment for individuals in recovery from substance abuse. To join an Oxford House, a person must undergo an application process that includes an interview with current residents, who must then approve the https://ecosoberhouse.com/oxford-house/ applicant by a two-thirds majority vote. Financially, residents contribute to the household by paying a weekly rent—typically around $132—which covers utilities and shared food expenses, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional treatment options. Oxford House is a unique type of recovery facility that offers a supportive environment focused on peer-based recovery. This section will compare Oxford House facilities with other common types of recovery facilities, such as halfway houses and sober living homes. An Oxford House is a self-sustaining, democratically run recovery home that offers an environment free from drugs and alcohol.

Chowdhury Walk social housing designed not to be “a monolithic block”

Chapters are important links in making the democratic system of organization underlying Oxford House™ work. The Chapter is the place where all the members of the Oxford House family of individual houses help each other to stay on track and to remain effective. The Chapter is also the place where individuals expand their network of sober friends as Chapters host all kinds of social events that bring their community together.
Is An Oxford House a Form of Sober Living Home?
This prohibition requires local governments to make a reasonable accommodation in their zoning laws to enable handicap individuals to effectively deal with their disability. While research on AA has been limited by the role of anonymity in recovery, the willingness of the Oxford Houses to open their doors to academic research gives us an opportunity to see recovery from addiction in action. Find a house, fill out the application, and call a house to schedule an interview. You will usually pay a nonrefundable fee, plus payment for your first two weeks, and you can move in. If you are not selected, you should try another house that has an opening.
- Choosing between a halfway house and an Oxford House depends on individual recovery goals, lifestyle preferences, and the level of support needed.
- 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.
- This ensures that the environment promotes accountability and recovery, aligning with the principles of the Oxford House organization.
- Furthermore, halfway houses usually have a predetermined length of stay, whereas Oxford House allows residents to stay as long as they need to maintain their sobriety, as long as they continue following the house rules.
- Plus, this option may actually be cheaper than other housing environments given the fact that residents split the household costs among several residents.
How Long Can a Person Stay in an Oxford House?
A long-running study by Chicago’s DePaul University shows that people completing one year of residency maintain a sobriety rate as high as 80 percent. The easiest way to find Drug rehabilitation an Oxford House is to use our vacancy locator at oxfordvacancies.com. Once you find a house that has a vacancy, you can call the contact person to set up an interview.


When we stopped drinking or using drugs, we began to realize just how dependent we had become. For those of us who had been in institutions or half-way houses, resentments against authority were common. Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the members who elect officers to serve for terms of six months. House officers have term limits to avoid bossism or corruption of egalitarian democracy. Halfway houses — sometimes called “recovery residences” — are structured environments that bridge the gap between treatment and complete independence. They are typically managed by staff and often have specific residency requirements.

Great! Let’s look at the broader Oxford House network.
- Each house operates democratically, where residents share responsibilities, pay household expenses, and collectively make decisions, fostering a sense of community and accountability.
- Some are able to keep from drinking in spite of the loneliness with which they were faced.
- By comparison to other facilities, Oxford House is unique in its approach by offering structure and accountability without the supervision of professional staff.
- In contrast, Oxford Houses are self-run with democratically-established rules by the residents themselves, and they are self-supported through the residents’ pooled finances.
- Oxford Houses also facilitate job opportunities by helping residents connect with local employment resources, allowing them to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Of that number 4,332 relapsed 19% and were expelled, while 7,668 moved out clean and sober. We’ll show you how Oxford Houses work together to form a self-supporting network of houses. Jason and Ferrari randomized 150 individuals to live in either an Oxford House or (receive community-based oxford house traditions aftercare services (usual Care)).
