They found that children provided the only type of relationship that was able to affect both substance use and recovery in a positive direction. D’Arlach, Olson, Jason, and Ferrari (2006) found that the children residents had a positive effect on the women’s recovery, and this positive effect was identical for both mothers and non-mothers. It is possible that these positive effects are due to the fact that having children present leads to increased responsibility among all House residents, aiding in recovery. Women also reported that Oxford House residents helped one another with child care. 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.

Oxford Houses indicated that larger House size predicted less criminal and aggressive behavior. These data were used in 5 court cases, which were successful in arguing against closing down Oxford Houses that had more than 5 or 6 non-related residents. Unfortunately, there have not been any outcome studies comparing TCs with Oxford Houses, although the first author currently has a NIDA funded study that is exploring this issue. There is considerable evidence for the effectiveness of TCs (DeLeon, & Rosenthal, 1989). Substantial reductions in recidivism rates have been found when in-prison Therapeutic Communities (TCs) are combined with community transition programs (Hiller, Knight, & Simpson, 1999; Wexler et al., 1996).

What is the Difference Between Sober Living and Halfway Houses?

Results indicated a high sustainability rate (86.9%) during a six year period of time. Houses that remained open had significantly higher incomes of residents than houses that eventually closed. No other significant differences were found between the two groups of houses, including sense of community among residents, neighborhood or policy characteristics, and house age.

Individuals who open a new Oxford House, as you might imagine, intend to use the property as an Oxford House. To start an Oxford House, a group of recovering individuals with a Charter from Oxford House, Inc. will lease a single-family house in a good neighborhood to pursue long term recovery as a group by following the battle-tested and time-honored Oxford House model. According to the Oxford House model, as each founding member moves out, a new member who shares the group’s common pursuit is voted in. Even if every founding member happens to move out at once, though, the non-founding members who replace them will learn the Oxford House model from members of nearby Oxford Houses. Following the Oxford House model, the group of non-founding members will continue to pursue long term recovery together as a group, just like the group who started the house.

Elected House Officers

Once that’s received by the house, you’ll be interviewed by the house members. After the interview, the house members will decide if you’ll be allowed to move in by taking a what is an oxford house vote. Sometimes, home is not the best place to be, especially for those in recovery. Yet, needing a roof over your head isn’t the only reason to consider an Oxford House.

• In the U.S., over 9,800 people live in these self-run dwellings where they obtain jobs, pay utility bills, and learn to be responsible citizens.
• Both NIDA and NIAAA have health services research study sections that are willing to review these types of applications.
• This has always been true in practice, and since March 12, 1989, the effective date of the 1988 Amendments to the Federal Fair Housing Act, it has been true as a matter of law.

Prior to entering Oxford House, participants were concerned that House policies would be similar to those of half-way houses they had experienced (i.e., too restrictive). As of 2008, there were 321 women’s Oxford Houses with 2,337 women, and 982 men’s Oxford Houses with 7,487 men, for a total of 1,303 houses serving 9,824 people (Oxford House, 2008). Of the residents, 18% were veterans, and 91% were working with average monthly earnings of $1,480.