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.

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Each Oxford House member, as an individual, considers himself a member of AA and/or NA. 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. Once the members of the new house agree to utilize the Oxford House Model’s system of operations and Oxford House, Inc. issues a no-cost charter. The members of the new house agree to utilize the Oxford House Model’s system of operations and Oxford House, Inc. issues a no-cost charter.

There are over 3,500 Oxford Houses across the United States

In those situations where a member’s behavior is disruptive to the group as a whole, the member may be required to seek such professional help or more self-help meetings in order to avoid being dismissed from Oxford House. 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. 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.

• Residents should also be prepared to participate in the democratic decision-making processes within the house.
• One of the greatest threats to the sobriety of a recovering alcoholic or drug addict is loneliness.
• Within an Oxford House group, it is not unusual to find some members who have problems which cannot be dealt with by the group.

What is Oxford House? A Guide & Comparison to Other Facilities

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.

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 house Oxford Houses.

• Those democratic principles will also enable the members of a particular Oxford House to take pride in their new found responsibility.
• Alternatively, if they would like to send their application to all houses near them that have an opening, they can Apply Online.
• During the last days of our drinking or using drugs, most of us ceased to function as responsible individuals.
• It has been formed as a non-profit corporation and will continue to operate as one both according to the letter and spirit of the law.

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.

• However, an Oxford House relies primarily upon example for assuring a high percentage of AA and/or NA attendance from its members.
• The Oxford House Model provides community based, supportive, and sober living environment.
• (Since 1989, many new Oxford Houses have taken advantage of state revolving loan programs.
• If an Oxford House follows the democratic principles and traditions of Oxford House, Inc., it should have no difficulty in running smoothly.
• Oxford House, Inc. acts as the coordinating body for providing charters for the opening of new 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 Substance abuse their fair share of the costs.

• A major part of the Oxford House philosophy is that dependency is best overcome through an acceptance of responsibility.
• Residents are often involved in treatment programs, attend support group meetings, and participate in other wellness activities together.
• Oxford House is built on the premise of expanding in order to meet the needs of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
• Electing members to staggered three-year terms of office assures continuity of the 12-member World Council.
• To discourage an excessive dependence on leaders, it is a principle of Oxford House that no member should serve in the same office for a continuous period of longer than six months.
• The houses are designed to provide stable surroundings for those in early recovery, often located in quiet and pleasant neighborhoods.

Those facilities provided us with shelter, food, and therapy for understanding alcoholism. Initially, the structure and supervision of such facilities were acceptable because physically and mentally, we were exhausted. Later, some of us were to move into half-way houses which provided shelter, food, and supervision. As our recovery progressed, the supervision and dependency on a half-way house created dissatisfaction.

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 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.

World Council Manual​​

This not only helps those individuals to become more involved in AA or NA, and thereby reap greater individual benefits, but also helps to build strong bonds between local AA and NA groups and Oxford House. The OHI field staff travel to Oxford Houses, Chapters, and Associations to provide technical assistance and training, assist with expansion, and network in the community. The situation should be avoided whereby certain individuals will begin to equate their persuasive qualities with the Oxford House concept.