What Is an Oxford House? And How Do I Get in One?

One of the greatest threats to the sobriety of a recovering alcoholic or drug addict is loneliness. At a time when we acquired a serious desire to stop drinking or using drugs, many of us had lost our families and friends because of our alcoholism and/or drug addiction. Too often, newly recovering alcoholics and drug addicts are faced with the necessity of living alone and of relying solely on contacts with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to stay sober.

• Later, some of us were to move into half-way houses which provided shelter, food, and supervision.
• Initially, the structure and supervision of such facilities were acceptable because physically and mentally, we were exhausted.
• 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.
• Fortunately, the 1988 Amendments to the Federal Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination against handicapped individuals.

It is inconsistent with the Oxford House system of democratic rule to have a professional manager of Oxford House. Failure to adhere to any of these three requirements would bring the entire Oxford House concept into question. 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.

Q. Is there any financial aid available to start a new Oxford House?

The HUD Complaint Form for filing a discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development can be download here. Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supported recovery homes for same sexed individuals. These homes are typically found in quiet, nice neighborhoods and offer a drug and alcohol free living environment for those in early recovery. Those who have benefited from an Oxford House have acquired enthusiasm for the Oxford House concept. In their enthusiasm, they have been anxious to share Oxford House with any recovering alcoholics and drug addicts who want to establish an Oxford House in their community.

• Sober living homes are structured, safe and substance-free living environments for individuals in recovery.
• The ways that sober living houses work vary depending on the level of support provided.
• She began experimenting with drugs in her early teens, aided by a therapist who seemed more eager to write prescriptions for anti-anxiety meds than delve into the dark issues behind Richardson’s acting out.
• Fulfilling these contracts is another way of teaching residents how to set specific goals and meet them.
• Any recovering alcoholic or drug addict can apply to get into any Oxford House by filling out an application and being interviewed by the existing members of the House.

Recovery residences are less expensive than living at a rehabilitation facility or detox center because fewer services are offered. But many sober homes require residents to attend support group meetings or participate in 12-step programs or outpatient treatment, which may be an additional cost for residents to consider. In general, sober living homes cost as much as an average apartment. Depending on the city, neighborhood and services offered, rent can range from $300 to $2,000 per month.

Cost of Living in an Oxford House

Third, an Oxford House must, in essence be a good member of the community by obeying the laws and paying its bills. Sober living homes are an effective resource for individuals who have completed oxford house rules treatment and are ready to begin their lives in recovery. They provide a balance of supervision and independence that allows people to transition back to work, school and daily life.

It provides quality control by organizing regional Houses into Chapters and by relying heavily upon the national network of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups. 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. In most https://ecosoberhouse.com/ communities, the members of those organizations help Oxford Houses get started and report any charter compliance problems to the national office of Oxford House World Services with respect to a particular house. As soon as Oxford House Inc., hears of such problems, it takes corrective action because the good name of Oxford House is an important factor in the recovery of thousands of individuals.

Q. Don’t zoning laws limit where a group of unrelated individuals can rent a house?

Thus, individuals who relapse are usually removed from the sober living home as soon as possible. Many sober living homes refer the resident to a drug addiction rehab center or offer another form of treatment. The goal of sober living homes is to monitor and improve health, safety and wellness using peer support. The goal of many halfway houses is to reduce recidivism among felons using supervision. However, some halfway houses are designed to reduce drug relapse rates for high-risk individuals leaving incarceration. The Fair Housing Act extends protection from discrimination beyond state actors.

Having houses in good neighborhoods with a safe environment for recovery to flourish may be the single most important reason for the Oxford House success. Each house represents a remarkably effective and low-cost method of preventing relapse and encouraging emotional growth. Today, most sober homes are unregulated, but some homes are part of larger organizations such as Oxford House, the Florida Association of Recovery Residences or the New Jersey Alliance of Recovery Residences. Oxford House follows a rule of law in making certain that its time-tested system of operation works well. At the same time Oxford House follows laws in the community at large including those that prohibit others from discriminating against the existence of the individual Oxford House. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center.

Q. How long can one live in an Oxford House?

Most homes house between eight and 15 members, with most staying about a year. To begin the admission process, you must fill out an Oxford House application. Once that’s received by the house, you’ll be interviewed by the house members.

Some are able to keep from drinking in spite of the loneliness with which they were faced. The alcoholic or drug addict alone begins to compare himself to those members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous who still have family and friends. Loneliness and self-pity soon lead such individuals back to alcoholic drinking or drug use.

In NARR homes, the goal is to protect the health of all residents, not to punish the resident experiencing relapse. In Oxford Houses, individuals who relapse cannot return until they complete a 28-day rehab program or complete treatment and demonstrate an ability to continually attend support group meetings. The services, rent, rules and living conditions at sober living homes vary from place to place.

While the article was published a few months before the Supreme Court decided City of Edmonds, WA v. Oxford House, Inc., the Court’s decision is consistent with the reasoning and conclusions of Schonfeld and Stein. 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. When we stopped drinking, we began to realize that in order to stay stopped, our lives would need to change.

The Purpose and Structure of Oxford House

Your friends or family members may tempt you with alcohol or other drugs by consuming them in front of you. 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. Oxford House, Inc. acts as the coordinating body for providing charters for the opening of new Oxford Houses. It also acts as the coordinating body to help individual houses to organize mutually supportive chapters. Through chapters individual houses are able to share their experience, strength and hope with each other to assure compliance with the Oxford House concept and its respected standardized system of operations. 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.