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. The combination of a structured living environment, mutual support, accountability, and access to resources has proven effective in helping residents achieve lasting sobriety and stability. Oxford House, Inc. is a separate nonprofit organization that employs field staff to provide technical assistance to the network of houses to help expand the Oxford House Model. 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.

Tradition VII

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 what is Oxford House follow the democratic principles in running the house.

Who Starts and Manages Oxford Houses?

All Oxford Houses have been careful to avoid undo dependence on government or other outside funds. In deference to that tradition, Oxford House has never sought nor obtained sponsorship from any AA or NA group. However, Oxford House members firmly believe that the Oxford House concept can expand as an independent entity, while fully utilizing the benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous.

• 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.
• 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.
• Oxford House, Inc. is a separate nonprofit organization that provides support and training to the network of houses to help expand the Oxford House Model.
• Oxford House grew out of the need for many of us to begin a new life without fear of backsliding because of loneliness or renewed dependency on former drinking companions.

Tradition I

Being community-based, the Oxford House Model has helped numerous individuals recover from addiction with nearly 3,000 houses in the United States and other countries. 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.

How Much Does an Oxford House Cost?

Those democratic principles will also enable the members of a particular Oxford House to take pride in their new found responsibility. Oxford House members share the house responsibilities and pitch in to do the chores. However, the members of Oxford House have found only by being active in AA and/or NA have they found comfortable, long-term sobriety — for themselves and the Oxford House in which they live.

This assures integrity and correct application of the Oxford House system of operations as documented in the Oxford House Manual© and Oxford House Chapter Manual©. The Oxford House Model is the unique, time-tested system of operations; an evidence-based practice shown to bring significant results currently unmatched in the recovery space. 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. Within an Oxford House group, it is not unusual to find some members who have problems which cannot be oxford house sober living 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.

Tradition V

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. The Chapter is the place where all the members https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of the Oxford House family of individual houses help each other to stay on track and to remain effective. 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.

There are six house officers in each Oxford House, elected by the members to support the operations of the house. It is not easy to spread the word of a new concept or an old concept with a new twist. Propagation, or spreading the word, of the Oxford House concept is given the highest priority by the members of Oxford House. Every Oxford House member stands ready to explain the workings of his House and the benefits derived there to anyone anywhere.

There are over 3,500 Oxford Houses across the United States

• Living within an Oxford House provides both the opportunity and motivation for all residents to regularly attend AA and/or NA meetings.
• The concept and the standardized, democratic, self-supported Oxford House system of operations itself are far more persuasive than any individual.
• Each Oxford House is managed by its residents, with each member having equal responsibilities and rights.
• Later, some of us were to move into half-way houses which provided shelter, food, and supervision.
• To discourage an excessive dependence on leaders, it is a principle of Oxford House that no member should serve in the same office for a continuous period of longer than six months.

In Oxford House, each member equally shares the responsibility for the running of the House and upholding the Oxford House tradition. All aspects of Oxford House operations, from the acquisition of the house to the acceptance or dismissal of members, is carried out under democratic procedures. Each member has one vote and majority rule applies except that 80% of the members must agree in accepting new persons for membership. The World Council is made up of both alumni and residents of Oxford Houses who are elected by their peers. Electing members to staggered three-year terms of office assures continuity of the 12-member World Council. While Oxford House, Inc. has the sole authority to grant Oxford House charters, the World Council acts as an advisory council to the board.

• The World Council is made up of both alumni and residents of Oxford Houses who are elected by their peers.
• 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.
• 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.
• The combination of a structured living environment, mutual support, accountability, and access to resources has proven effective in helping residents achieve lasting sobriety and stability.

World Council Manual​​

Oxford Houses function under a democratic structure, meaning residents actively participate in decision-making processes that affect the house and its members. This structure encourages personal growth, responsibility, and accountability, ultimately promoting a strong support network and a sense of community. Some of us had lived for a time in alcoholic and drug rehabilitation facilities.