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The third factor affecting us both in the rehabilitation facilities and the half-way houses was the realization that the duration of our stay must be limited because space must be made for others in need of help. 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. You can stay as long as you like, provided you don’t use drugs and alcohol, are not disruptive, and pay your share of house expenses. It is no more difficult than for an ordinary family to find a house to rent. Each Oxford House is an ordinary single-family house with two bathrooms and four or more bedrooms. Ideally several of the bedrooms are large enough for two twin beds so that newcomers, in particular, are able to have a roommate.
Are You Ready for Recovery?
- An Oxford House Chapter is an additional level of support for individual Oxford Houses.
- All Oxford Houses have been careful to avoid undo dependence on government or other outside funds.
- Individuals living in each of the Oxford Houses have also been responsible for starting many new groups of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous having meetings near an Oxford House.
- 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.
- Misguided leaders can create dependency and usurp self-responsibility.
Second, every resident would contribute equally to the expenses and household duties. Nearly all members of Oxford House utilize the AA and/or NA program in order to obtain and keep a comfortable sobriety. However, an Oxford House relies primarily upon example for assuring a high percentage of AA and/or NA attendance from its members. As a general rule formal AA or NA meetings are not held in an Oxford House member who has maintained comfortable sobriety in an Oxford House makes it a practice to attend a lot of AA and/or NA meetings on a regular basis. An Oxford House Chapter is an additional level of support for individual Oxford Houses. Chapters are important links in making the democratic system of organization underlying Oxford House™ work.
Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supported homes for individuals in recovery from a Substance Use Disorder.
Residents are encouraged to share their experiences, learn from one another, and help each other stay accountable. In addition to the support from fellow residents, many Oxford House members also participate in external recovery programs and support groups, further strengthening their commitment to sober living. The charter of each Oxford House requires that an Oxford House meet certain minimum requirements of Oxford House, Inc. First of all, no Oxford House may permit individuals to remain as members if those individuals are drinking or using drugs. Second, an Oxford House must follow the democratic principles in running the house.
Oxford House is the largest network of recovery homes with houses in all major areas of South Carolina.
The average stay is about a year, but many residents stay three, four, or more years. 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. Oxford House is built on the premise of expanding in order to meet the needs of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
Peer-Run, Self-Sustaining, Substance-Free Housing
Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the residents who elect officers to serve for terms of six months. In this respect, they are similar to a college fraternity, sorority, or a small New England town. Officers have fixed terms of office to avoid bossism or corruption of egalitarian democracy. Every member has an equal vote regardless of how long they’ve been there. The situation should be avoided whereby certain individuals will begin to equate their persuasive qualities oxford house sober living with the Oxford House concept. 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.
Oxford House Rules
- This policy ensures that the Oxford House maintains a safe and supportive sober living environment for all residents.
- In its simplest form, an Oxford House is a shared residence where people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can live together and support each other in a drug and alcohol-free environment.
- A recovering individual can live in an Oxford House for as long as he or she does not drink alcohol, does not use drugs, and pays an equal share of the house expenses.
Yet, needing a roof over your head isn’t the only reason to consider an Oxford House. These homes offer individuals a safe and secure place to live where they can learn responsibility, gain recovery support, and learn to live a sober life. For many individuals who complete drug and alcohol treatment, returning home is the beginning of their relapse.
- Now that you have the contact information for the house you have chosen, call them and set up an interview.
- If you are not selected, you should try another house that has an opening.
- 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.
- Other members were asked to leave half-way houses in order to make room for a recovering alcoholic or recovering drug addict who was ready to move into a half-way house.
- Yet, needing a roof over your head isn’t the only reason to consider an Oxford House.
- 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.
View and download the latest House and Chapter Manuals, along with other forms used to conduct weekly house meetings. Halfway house Oxford House, Inc. provides technical assistance to foster the expansion of the Oxford House Model. Oxford House, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that employs both office and field staff.