What Is the Oxford House Model? Peer-Supported Sober Living

Oxford House was founded not only to put a roof over our head, but also to create a home where the disease of alcoholism was understood and the need for the alcoholic to stay away from the first drink was emphasized. The bond that holds the group together is the desire to stop drinking and stay stopped. Modest rooms and living facilities can become luxurious suites when viewed from an environment of alcoholics working together for comfortable sobriety.

Mr. Molloy and the other residents devised the basic rules of self-government that have shaped Oxford House ever since. First, all decisions would be made https://ecosoberhouse.com/ democratically, with a group vote. Second, every resident would contribute equally to the expenses and household duties.

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Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis For Addiction Rehab

oxford sober living

Oxford House is a nationally recognized network of peer-run, self-supporting sober living homes for individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. These democratically operated residences provide safe, affordable housing where residents support one another in maintaining sobriety without the use of professional staff or formal treatment programs. 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. They typically include rules around curfews, sobriety, and sometimes employment, promoting responsibility and self-sufficiency. The resident’s support team generally determines the length of stay, which ranges from a few months to a year. These houses provide a structured, alcohol- and drug-free environment for individuals in recovery, emphasizing peer support and shared responsibility among residents.

State and city pages provide detailed information about sober living homes in each location. These structured living environments help people transition out of rehab. Residents have more freedom than they do during rehab, but still follow certain rules. Researched, fact-checked and transparent articles and guides that offer addiction and mental health insight from experts and treatment professionals.

Get Help With Addiction

There is no official minimum time limit for acceptance, but generally an individual comes into an Oxford House following a 14 to 28 day rehabilitation program, or at least a detoxification period. We are always adding NEW HOUSES and are  dedicated members of recovery communities all across Florida.See our current house directory listings here. The average number of times an Oxford House resident has been through prior treatment is three, but for about a quarter of residents their Oxford House residency is after their first treatment episode. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. For questions regarding recovery residence locations for people utilizing medications for opioid use disorder, vacancies, house contact and phone numbers; visit Project HOMES. Drug addiction is the excessive and repetitive use of substances, despite harmful consequences to a person’s life, health, and relationships.

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Each Oxford House follows three simple rules.

The houses are structured to accommodate individuals coming from various backgrounds, including those who have recently completed treatment programs or those seeking a stable environment after incarceration. Oxford houses are effective; individuals who reside in these structured environments experience lower rates of relapse compared to those who do not engage in similar support systems. Overall, these homes play an important role in the recovery journey, offering a comprehensive framework that nurtures healing and empowers individuals to reclaim their lives and futures.

  • The average stay is about a year, but many residents stay three, four, or more years.
  • Any member who drinks alcohol or uses drugs will be immediately expelled.
  • Importantly, there is no pressure for those in good standing to leave, allowing them to focus on their recovery at their own pace.

Engagement in support groups like AA significantly enhances sobriety rates; studies indicate that individuals who regularly attend AA meetings are more likely to maintain their recovery and avoid relapse. Most houses are single-gender to create a safe and supportive environment tailored to the specific recovery needs of each gender. This approach is based on the understanding that men and women face different challenges in recovery, and a gender-specific setting fosters stronger connections among residents. While the average duration of stay is just over a year, many residents choose to remain for three, four, or even more years. Importantly, there is no pressure for those in good standing to leave, allowing them to focus on their recovery at their own pace. Residents of Oxford Houses include men, women, and women with children, all of whom must be committed to remaining drug and alcohol-free.

The application is then considered by the membership of the House and if there is a vacancy and if 80% of the members approve, the applicant is accepted and moves in. 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 oxford house traditions live in an Oxford House. Some of us had lived for a time in alcoholic and drug rehabilitation facilities.

Our Therapy and Counseling Programs​

Though founded in 1975, Oxford House underwent a transformation in 1997 during a comprehensive restructure. The national non-profit organization created an independent Board of Directors and World Council by electing residents and alumni from around the United States. These boards recruited experienced leadership to work with these resident-committees to develop new strategies for growth and program excellence. Oxford House is the largest network of sober living houses anywhere, with houses in all major areas of Florida. Our network of houses is only as strong as the community support we receive and the involvement of current and former members.

Treatment Focus

However, they vary in several ways, including cost, structure, and length of stay. Oxford House grew out of the need for many of us to begin a new life without fear of backsliding because of loneliness or renewed dependency on former drinking companions. Throughout its tradition, Oxford House has combined the concepts of self-support and responsibility with a fellowship having the common purpose of continued and comfortable sobriety. By the time many of Sober living house us had stopped drinking, we had lost jobs; we had lost families, and some of us either had no place to live or no place to live which was not an invitation to start drinking again.

How to Apply to an Oxford House

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. 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. The opportunity for a house to democratically function requires periodic meetings within the house — at least once a week. Such meetings should be used to resolve any operational or personality problems facing the house.

Resident Training

Sharing experiences and coping strategies creates a robust network that significantly enhances recovery outcomes. Oxford House Placement Services is a non-profit referral agency founded to help recovering individuals find placements in Oxford Houses in their locality. We maintain a toll free hotline reporting towns and phone numbers of Oxford Houses with vacancies. Oxford House has paved the way towards a new model of sober living which has revolutionized the addiction recovery landscape. Similarly committed to upholding high living standards, Vanderburgh Sober Living is also revolutionary in its uniquely interactive home ownership and residency practices. If you want to get involved in sober living— either as someone in recovery or as a home operator— consider furthering your journey with VSL!

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