It doesn’t matter if they’ve been living in the house for one day or for multiple years. The Oxford House Model is the unique, time-tested system of operations; an evidence-based practice shown to bring significant results currently unmatched in the recovery space. Explore how each house is supported by the broader Oxford House network.
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Second, an Oxford House must follow the democratic principles in running the house. Third, an Oxford House must, in essence be a good member of the community by obeying the laws and paying its bills. Mr. Molloy and the other residents devised the basic rules of self-government that have shaped Oxford House ever since. Second, every resident would contribute equally to the expenses and household duties. In this respect, they are similar to a college fraternity, sorority, or a small New England town.

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- Interviews are usually held in person, but can also be done over the phone.
- Yes, there are Oxford Houses in Canada, Australia and Ghana with active interest in England, Bulgaria and other countries.
- First of all, no Oxford House may permit individuals to remain as members if those individuals are drinking or using drugs.
- They will return to their families; they may start new families; they may simply move into another living situation.
Oxford House, Inc. is a separate https://test-alltech-blueprint.pantheonsite.io/2024/12/16/vitamins-supplements-for-alcohol-withdrawal-the/ nonprofit organization that provides support and training to the network of houses to help expand the Oxford House Model. The ideal number of members for an Oxford House is between 8 to 15 members. This range is optimal as it allows for a manageable group size that fosters a sense of community while ensuring that residents provide and receive adequate support.
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Staying for six months or more correlated with reduced substance use (15.6% usage prevalence) and better outcomes in employment and self-efficacy. One can only be dismissed from an Oxford House because of drinking, using drugs, non-payment of rent, or disruptive behavior. Every opportunity should be given to a member who needs professional help to see that he obtains it. Repayment from those start-up loans assures the continuation of the revolving fund to enable other new houses to get started — just as repayment of loans to chapters permits the same resources to be used again and again. An underlying principle of Oxford House is that each individual member has the ability to be responsible for himself.
- An Oxford House is managed by a publicly supported nonprofit organization that operates primarily under the principles of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
- Every Oxford House member attributes his sobriety to Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous.
- Oxford House, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that employs both office and field staff.
- The reason that each Oxford House is independent arises from the very practical consideration that those who are closest to a situation are best able to manage it.
Endorphins: Definition, Functions, Production, Release, Role in Addiction and Recovery
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. Learn what makes Oxford House stand out as a unique model for recovery housing. Instead of being left to their own fates, Mr. Molloy and other residents decided to take over the house themselves, paying the expenses and utilities, cooking the meals and keeping watch over one another’s path to recovery. Paul Molloy was a young lawyer on Capitol Hill who had a key role in drafting legislation that created Amtrak and other federal programs.
To join an Oxford House, a person must undergo an application process that includes an interview with current residents, who must then approve the 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. At the Oxford House World Convention held annually, Oxford Houses throughout the country vote for representatives to the World Council. The World Council is comprised of 12 members, 9 of which presently live in an Oxford House, 3 who are alumni. There is no reason to believe that society as a whole had the responsibility to provide long-term housing within a protected environment for the alcoholic and drug addict.
Oxford House Profile Publication and Form
In fact, Oxford House creates an environment whereby each member can more fully realize the benefits available from active AA or NA membership. In 1975, a tight budget in Montgomery County, Maryland led to a decision to close one of the four county-run halfway houses. The thirteen men living in the halfway house rented the building and decided to run it themselves. They immediately decided to change the rule that limited a stay to six months because they had witnessed that when a person was required to leave because the time was up they almost always relapsed within thirty days of leaving. That was an important change because recovering individuals take different lengths of time to become comfortable enough in sobriety to avoid relapse.
The Oxford House model requires that the property be suitable for creating a supportive living environment for individuals in recovery. Potential properties oxford house traditions must meet specific criteria, including being located in safe, residential neighborhoods and having enough space to accommodate multiple residents. To ensure a productive living environment, each house adheres to specific guidelines that are integral to the recovery process. These typically include maintaining sobriety, actively participating in house meetings, and fulfilling household responsibilities. This structured approach not only reinforces individual accountability but also cultivates a sense of shared responsibility, essential for sustaining long-term recovery. An Oxford House refers to self-managed recovery residences designed to support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.
Often several members Oxford House 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. A major part of the Oxford House philosophy is that dependency is best overcome through an acceptance of responsibility. In Oxford House, each member equally shares the responsibility for the running of the House and upholding the Oxford House tradition. All aspects of Oxford House operations, from the acquisition of the house to the acceptance or dismissal of members, is carried out under democratic procedures.


