The Chapter is also the place where individuals expand their network of sober friends as Chapters host all kinds of social events that bring their community together. In its simplest form, an Oxford House is a shared residence where people in recovery from substance use disorder can live together and support each other in a drug and alcohol-free environment. An Oxford House member can stay as long as they like, provided they stay drug and alcohol free and pay their share of house expenses. Our network of houses is only as strong as the community support we receive and the involvement of current and former members. The charter of each Oxford House requires that an Oxford House meet certain minimum requirements of Oxford House, Inc.

Each Oxford House follows three simple rules.

• Propagation, or spreading the word, of the Oxford House concept is given the highest priority by the members of Oxford House.
• If an Oxford House follows the democratic principles and traditions of Oxford House, Inc., it should have no difficulty in running smoothly.
• Learn what makes Oxford House stand out as a unique model for recovery housing.
• We should spread the word about Oxford House, but be wary of individuals who place their own personalities before the principles that made Oxford House work.
• When they find such a house they will bring it up with the other existing Houses and if there is a consensus they will attempt to find the start up money and members to fill the new house.
• Interviews are usually held in person, but can also be done over the phone.

The legacy of Oxford House is forever secure as long as the concept, Traditions and system of operations is assured by control of its members through participation in marijuana addiction an effective democratic system of organization. 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. When they find such a house they will bring it up with the other existing Houses and if there is a consensus they will attempt to find the start up money and members to fill the new house.

Our Houses

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. 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. It is inconsistent with the Oxford House system of democratic rule to have a professional manager of Oxford House. For example, the landlord and phone company may require a security deposit and, while furnishings are generally donated, members will often have to rent a truck in order to pick them up.

Oxford Houses work because they are:

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.At the Oxford House World Convention held annually, Oxford Houses throughout the country vote for representatives to the World Council. The World Council is comprised of 12 members, 9 of which presently live in an Oxford House, 3 who are alumni. At the Oxford House World Convention held annually, Oxford Houses throughout the country vote for representatives to the World Council.

• But together we have learned to manage and maintain the house and interact as a family.
• Instead of being left to their own fates, Mr. Molloy and other residents decided to take over the house themselves, paying the expenses and utilities, cooking the meals and keeping watch over one another’s path to recovery.
• Experience has shown that both the individual houses and Oxford House, Inc. as a whole are more likely to succeed and last if every house belongs to a chapter.

A tribute to our late co-founder and CEO, Paul Molloy

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 halfway house created dissatisfaction. The dissatisfaction was in part the realization that we were shirking responsibility for our own lives and in part a resentment of authority. The third factor affecting us both in the rehabilitation facilities and the halfway houses was the realization that the duration of our stay must be limited because space must be made for others in need of help. By the time many of 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.

Acceptance

The national scope of Oxford House and its long history makes it the only recovery house system that has been the subject of so much independent research. For a couple of months in 1975, he found himself living on the streets and begging strangers for money before he entered a rehabilitation program. He moved to a county-run halfway house in Silver oxford house traditions Spring, MD, to recover but soon learned that the facility was about to close. The Model encourages the development of leadership skills and self-efficacy.

The situation should be avoided whereby certain individuals will begin to equate their persuasive qualities 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. Other Houses often help that type of move as well as the brand new House. 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. Experience of Oxford House has shown that from 8 to 15 members works very well.

• Call the contact person for each house you’re interested in to set up an interview.
• In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a democratically run, self-supporting and drug free home.
• A major part of the Oxford House philosophy is that dependency is best overcome through an acceptance of responsibility.
• The average length of jail time is about one year, with a range of few days to more than ten years.
• 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.
• The line between an Oxford House of recovering alcoholics or drug addicts and an Oxford House of active alcoholics or drug addicts is a thin one.
• There are over 3500 self-sustaining Oxford Houses in the United States and more than 24,000 individuals in recovery living in these houses at any one time during the year.

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. All they need to do is to find a house to rent in the name of the group, and apply to Oxford House, Inc., for a charter. Yes, the prospective residents of the House can find a suitable house, rent it, put up the security deposit and pay the first month’s rent themselves. Oxford House, Inc. will consider favorably a Charter application whether or not a loan is received from the State or some other outside source. In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a democratically run, self-supporting and drug free home.