IDHS: Recovery Residence Frequently Asked Questions

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. Third, an Oxford House must, in essence be a good member of the community by obeying the laws and paying its bills.

The Legal and Policy Reasons Underlying Oxford House Group Leases

Loneliness and self-pity soon lead such individuals back to alcoholic drinking or drug use. With Oxford House there is no need for a recovering individual to live in an environment dominated by loneliness. 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. In carrying out its mission the Council always keeps a focus on expansion of the network of individual Oxford Houses, to provide all recovering alcoholics and drug addictions the opportunity to develop comfortable sobriety without relapse.

• The Oxford House Manual is a vital guide for self-supported recovery, providing structure and accountability for individuals seeking long-term sobriety and personal growth.
• During the last days of our drinking or using drugs, most of us ceased to function as responsible individuals.
• However, if a majority of residents believe that any member has had a recurrence of use of alcohol or other illicit drugs, that person is immediately expelled.

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Alcoholics and drug addicts seem to have a tendency to test and retest the validity of any real, potential, or imagined restriction on their behavior. Yes, there are Oxford Houses in Canada, Australia and Ghana with active interest in England, Bulgaria and other countries. Alcoholism and drug addiction are international problems and Oxford Houses can provide recovering individuals the opportunity to become comfortable enough in sobriety to avoid relapse. 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.

• Each house operates autonomously, united under shared principles and financial self-support.
• Immediate expulsion follows any substance use, ensuring a safe environment.
• Requiring an admission application for every resident also allows you to determine if the resident would be a good fit for your sober living home.
• Generally an individual comes into an Oxford House following a rehabilitation program, incarceration, or at least a detoxification program.
• If an applicant does not get voted into one house he or she should try another house in the area.
• All Oxford Houses have been careful to avoid undo dependence on government or other outside funds.

Find manuals, forms, and other resources from Oxford House.

Oxford House is built on the premise of expanding in order to meet the needs of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. This principle contrasts sharply with the principle of providing oxford house sober living the alcoholic or drug addict with assistance for a limited time period in order to make room for a more recently recovering alcoholic or drug addict. Oxford Houses are established in good neighborhoods to integrate the recovering individuals into mainstream communities, away from former environments, people and habits. Behavior change is key for successful recovery and living in a nice house and a nice neighborhood helps restore pride and self-esteem and provides additional incentive for the member to stay clean and sober. Make a business plan to identify your goals and streamline the process of opening your sober living home.

Q. Are there Oxford Houses set up for special populations?

The Oxford House World Convention hosts annual events with themes that inspire and motivate recovery journeys. Each year’s theme addresses current challenges and successes, fostering a sense of community. Workshops, testimonials, and shared experiences highlight the impact of Oxford Houses worldwide, reinforcing the model’s effectiveness and sustainability. The manual emphasizes financial self-support, immediate expulsion for substance use, democratic decision-making, and mutual respect among members, fostering a structured environment for recovery and personal growth.

You will want to write down your company name, mission, description and services, determine what type of residence you will purchase or rent, how many residents you will accommodate at any given time, and what services you will provide. You will also want to study and analyze any other sober living homes nearby to determine what works (and what doesn’t work) and determine how you will make your sober living home stand out from the competition. A recovering individual can live in an Oxford House for as long as he or she does not drink alcohol, does not use illicit drugs, and pays an equal share of the house expenses.

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. In its simplest form, an Oxford House is a shared residence Drug rehabilitation where people in recovery can live together and support each other in a drug and alcohol-free environment. The Oxford House model continues to evolve, adapting to changing societal needs and expanding its reach across different communities.

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It was the first step in a nationwide movement, now almost 50 years old, that has been credited with helping thousands of people overcome addiction and lead productive lives. 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. Each member pays EES (Equal Expense Share) which includes the total amount of rent due for the month as well as the cost of utilities, telephone, cable TV and any other expenses that the house includes in its common expenditures. Some houses collect EES from its members on a monthly basis while many houses choose to collect EES on a weekly basis. This monthly or weekly amount varies from state to state and house to house and can range anywhere from $125 a week to $250 a week.

Expansion and Growth of Oxford Houses

Q. What if there is not an Oxford House in the area or there are no vacancies in any Oxford House in the region? 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. Those who have benefited from an Oxford House have acquired enthusiasm for the Oxford House concept. In their enthusiasm, https://faithheartmagazine.com/what-do-good-coping-skills-look-like/ 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. Nearly all members of Oxford House utilize the AA and/or NA program in order to obtain and keep a comfortable sobriety.

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Yes, each state has in place a revolving loan fund that can make loans to cover the first month’s rent and security deposit (up to $4000) to rent a house in a good neighborhood. The loan must be repaid by the group within two years in 24 equal installments. Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the residents who elect officers to serve for terms of six months.