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

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 their fair share of the costs. Oxford Houses flourish in metropolitan areas, such as New York City and Washington D.C. And thrive in such diverse communities, as Hawaii, Washington State, Canada and Australia; but they all abide by the basic criteria. And the landlord rightfully expects this consistent use of the property throughout the term of the lease, even though the individual members of the House will likely change with some regularity during that same term.

Officers have fixed terms of office to avoid bossism or corruption of egalitarian democracy. An Oxford house provides recovering addicts a safe, substance-free place to live. 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. The concept and the standardized, democratic, self-supported Oxford House system of operations itself are far more persuasive than any individual. Be honest and straight-forward when sharing the Oxford House concept with others. The opportunity for a house to democratically function requires periodic meetings within the house — at least once a week.

How Do I Get in an Oxford House?

Experience of Oxford House has shown that from 8 to 15 members works very well. A house with fewer than six individuals is difficult to maintain because of the small size of the group and the fact that any vacancy causes a greater disruption of the financial welfare of the house. A house must have six or more residents in order to be recognized or chartered https://en.forexdata.info/50-substance-abuse-group-therapy-activities-for/ by Oxford House. 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 or sorority. 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.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous provided a framework for us to change physically, mentally, and spiritually. The degree to which we were able to successfully change our lives had a direct relationship to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Many of us soon learned, however, that living alone or living among our old drinking companions made it more difficult to practice the principles necessary for continued sobriety. 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.

The Legal and Policy Reasons Underlying Oxford House Group Leases

Oxford House is a self-run, self-supported recovery house program for individuals recovering from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), including an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The first Oxford House was started in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1975. First, only a lease to the House as a group can reflect the property’s intended and actual use for the duration of the lease.

• A house must have six or more residents in order to be recognized or chartered by Oxford House.
• All Oxford Houses have been careful to avoid undo dependence on government or other outside funds.
• In conclusion, the intended use of the property is properly memorialized as a rental agreement between the landlord and the House as a group, and not between the landlord and the house’s members individually.
• 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.

With Oxford House there is no need for a recovering individual to live in an environment dominated by loneliness. Three or more Oxford Houses within a 100 mile radius comprise an Oxford House Chapter. A representative of each House in the Chapter meets with the others on a monthly basis, to exchange information, to seek resolution of problems in a particular House, and to express that Chapter’s vote on larger issues. The World Council is comprised of 12 members, 9 of which presently live in an Oxford House, 3 who are alumni.

Q. Who manages an Oxford House?

In most communities, the members of those organizations help Oxford Houses get started and report any charger compliance problems with respect to a particular house. Addicted individuals help themselves by helping each other abstain  from alcohol and drug use one day at a time. 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.

The average length of jail time is about one year, with a range of few days to more than ten years. This is understandable since as many as 80% of the current jail/prison population are alcoholics and drug addicts. Oxford Houses seem to stop the recycling in and out of jail or treatment facilities. It provides quality control by organizing regional Houses into Chapters and by relying heavily upon the national network of mutual aid organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups. While Oxford House is not affiliated with AA or NA, its members realize that recovery Substance Use Disorder can only be assured by the changing  of their lifestyle through full participation in AA and NA.

Q. How much sobriety or clean time is needed before an individual can be accepted into an Oxford House?

Accordingly, the property must be leased by the group, not by the individuals. Yes, the prospective residents of the House can find a suitable house, rent it, put up the security deposit Step 1 of Alcoholics Anonymous: What Is Step 1 of AA? 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.