Compared to other facilities, Oxford Houses are self-run and provide a structured, cost-effective option for maintaining sobriety with a supportive peer network. In fact, Oxford House creates an environment whereby each member can more fully realize the benefits available from active AA or NA membership. 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. However, there is every reason to believe that recovering alcoholics and drug addicts can do for themselves that which society as a whole has no responsibility to do for them.
Forms and Manuals
While both halfway houses and Oxford Houses provide structured environments, Oxford House emphasizes more on individual accountability and the importance of peer support. 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. 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. During early recovery for alcoholism and drug addiction, some members had to leave an institution in order to make room for an alcoholic or drug addict just beginning the recovery process.
- However, Oxford Houses specifically use a peer-based model and are often more affordable because they operate without staff and are supported by residents’ pooled resources.
- No Oxford House can tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs by one of its members because that threatens the sobriety of all of the members.
- 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.
- Living within an Oxford House provides both the opportunity and motivation for all residents to regularly attend AA and/or NA meetings.
- Propagation, or spreading the word, of the Oxford House concept is given the highest priority by the members of Oxford House.
- Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supported recovery homes for individuals seeking a drug and alcohol-free living environment.
- In both cases, financial assistance is in the form of a loan having a pay back schedule, not to exceed one year, defined up front.
Comparison with Other Facilities
They will return to their families; they may start new families; they may simply move into another living situation. 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. The members of an Oxford House assume full responsibility for the operation of the House. The rent that is charged the members is determined by the members themselves in a democratic fashion. The rules which govern the house are for the most part also made by those who live in a particular Oxford House Such autonomy is essential for the Oxford House system to work.
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Each member has one vote and majority rule applies except that 80% of the members must agree in accepting new persons for membership. 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. The concept and the standardized, democratic, self-supported Oxford House system of operations itself are far oxford house more persuasive than any individual. Be honest and straight-forward when sharing the Oxford House concept with others. Within an Oxford House group, it is not unusual to find some members who have problems which cannot be dealt with by the group. In those situations, it is not uncommon for the Oxford House members, at a meeting, to strongly suggest that a fellow member seek professional help.
- All too often, an abrupt transition from a protected environment to an environment which places considerable glamour on the use of alcohol and drugs causes a return to alcoholic drinking or addictive drug use.
- The applicant will call the contact person for each house they’re interested in to set up an interview.
- In fact, Oxford House creates an environment whereby each member can more fully realize the benefits available from active AA or NA membership.
- Nearly all members of Oxford House utilize the AA and/or NA program in order to obtain and keep a comfortable sobriety.
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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. In its simplest form, an Oxford House is a shared residence where people in recovery can live together and support each other in a drug and alcohol-free environment.
House Traditions
Some operate for several years and then, because of expiration of a lease, dissatisfaction with the facilities, or simply the finding of a better location, the members of a particular House will move into a new location. In both cases, financial assistance is in the form of a loan having a pay back schedule, not to exceed one year, defined up front. (Since 1989, many new Oxford Houses have taken advantage of state revolving loan programs. Starting new Houses through the mutual assistance of existing Oxford Houses is a tradition because each House was started with the help of existing Houses and tends to pass on to others that which they received. 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.
- Loneliness and self-pity soon lead such individuals back to alcoholic drinking or drug use.
- However, the members of Oxford House have found only by being active in AA and/or NA have they found comfortable, long-term sobriety — for themselves and the Oxford House in which they live.
- It is not easy to spread the word of a new concept or an old concept with a new twist.
- Be honest and straight-forward when sharing the Oxford House concept with others.
If an Oxford House follows the democratic principles and traditions of Oxford House, Inc., it should have no difficulty in running smoothly. Those democratic principles will also enable what is Oxford House the members of a particular Oxford House to take pride in their new found responsibility. The World Council is made up of both alumni and residents of Oxford Houses who are elected by their peers. Electing members to staggered three-year terms of office assures continuity of the 12-member World Council. While Oxford House, Inc. has the sole authority to grant Oxford House charters, the World Council acts as an advisory council to the board.
Who Starts and Manages Oxford Houses?
The only members who will ever be asked to leave an Oxford House are those who return to drinking, using drugs, or have disruptive behavior, including the nonpayment of rent. No Oxford House can tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs by one of its members because that threatens the sobriety of all of the members. Neither can an Oxford House function if some do not pay their fair share of the costs.
Rent and the various utilities paid by residents vary by location, but the cost of living in an Oxford House is usually no more than what it would cost to live elsewhere. Plus, this option may actually be cheaper than other housing environments given the fact that residents split the household costs among several residents. Oxford House, Inc. is a separate nonprofit organization that provides technical assistance and training to the network of houses to help expand the Oxford House Model. Our network of houses is only as strong as the community support we receive and the involvement of current and former members. Oxford House, Inc. acts as the coordinating body for providing charters for the opening of new Oxford Houses.