House & Chapter Literature & Guidelines » Oxford Houses of Virginia

It should also be pointed out that Oxford House, Inc. in no way gains from the creation of new Oxford Houses. It has been formed as a non-profit corporation and will continue to operate as one both according to the letter and spirit of the law. It is inconsistent with the Oxford House system of democratic rule to have a professional manager of Oxford House. Failure to adhere to any of these three requirements would bring the entire Oxford House concept into question.

Oxford House vs. Sober Living Homes

• While no one is ever asked to leave an Oxford House without cause, some individuals will simply outgrow living in an Oxford House.
• All Oxford Houses have been careful to avoid undo dependence on government or other outside funds.
• 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.
• Third, an Oxford House must, in essence be a good member of the community by obeying the laws and paying its bills.
• The World Council is made up of both alumni and residents of Oxford Houses who are elected by their peers.

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. Too often, newly recovering alcoholics and drug addicts are faced with the necessity of living alone and of relying solely on contacts with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to stay sober. Some are able to keep from drinking in spite of the loneliness with which they were faced.

Tradition VII

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 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. Sober living homes are similar to Oxford Houses in the sense that they provide a supportive, substance-free living environment. However, Oxford Houses specifically use a peer-based model and are often more affordable because they operate without staff and are supported by residents’ pooled resources.

Tradition V

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©. 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. Oxford House should rely on democratically-chosen leaders, but the leaders must always be but trusted servants. 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.

• This section will compare Oxford House facilities with other common types of recovery facilities, such as halfway houses and sober living homes.
• 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.
• 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.
• As noted in the conclusion, Oxford House stands out as a valuable resource to those in recovery, promoting responsibility, interpersonal relationships, and self-reliance through its unique approach.
• More than 80 percent of Oxford House residents remain clean and sober for the long term even though many of them come from backgrounds that have included lengthy alcohol and drug use, periods of homelessness, and incarceration.

We’ll show you how Oxford Houses work together to form a self-supporting network of houses. The Oxford House concept is a sound one, based on sound principles, and has demonstrated its worth with an established track record. 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. Individuals living in each of the Oxford Houses have also been responsible for starting many new groups of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous having meetings near an Oxford House.

Oxford House has as its primary goal the provision of housing and rehabilitative support for the alcoholic and drug addict who wants to stop drinking or using drugs and stay stopped. Each Oxford House is managed by its residents, with each member having equal responsibilities and rights. The members follow house rules and are expected to contribute to maintaining a clean and safe living environment. 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. While some may resemble Oxford House in terms of self-governance and affordability, others may have staff, offer additional services, and come with a higher price tag.

Tradition I

• When we stopped drinking, we began to realize that in order to stay stopped, our lives would need to change.
• The only members who will ever be asked to leave an Oxford House are those who return to drinking, using drugs, or have disruptive behavior, including the nonpayment of rent.
• This principle contrasts sharply with the principle of providing 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 House members share the house responsibilities and pitch in to do the chores.
• This structure encourages personal growth, responsibility, and accountability, ultimately promoting a strong support network and a sense of community.

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. Often several members of an existing House will move into the new House to provide a core group of new members who already know how an Oxford House works. A major part of the Oxford House philosophy is that dependency is best overcome through an acceptance of responsibility. In Oxford House, each member equally oxford house 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.

Forms and Manuals

The World Council is comprised of 12 members, 9 of which presently live in an Oxford House, 3 who are alumni. Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supported recovery homes for individuals seeking a drug and alcohol-free living environment. To get into an Oxford House, applicants must undergo an interview process with current residents.

What is the Model?

It doesn’t matter if they’ve been living in the house for one day or for multiple years. Find documents, templates, and everything residents need while living Halfway house at an Oxford House. Before spreading the word, an individual Oxford House should make certain that it is sufficiently established to undertake public discussion of it goals and mission. The best sales pitch for spreading the word about Oxford House is simply the establishment of a sound Oxford House and a straightforward discussion of what it is, how it works and why it is needed. Every Oxford House member stands ready to explain the workings of his House and the benefits derived there to anyone anywhere.