Sober Living Homes & Oxford Houses Cost & Length of Stay

Studies indicate that living in sober homes after inpatient treatment increases recovery rates, financial strength and overall stability. In other homes, counselors or case managers visit on a regular basis to provide in-home services. Former residents and treatment alumni may visit regularly to provide additional guidance and support. Sober living homes usually house only same-sex residents and require residents to complete either a detox program or an inpatient rehab program before moving in. Additionally, residents must agree to a number of rules when they move in.

How Much Does an Oxford House Cost?

The first Oxford House was started in 1975 in Silver Springs MD by a group of recovering alcoholics/addicts who were living in a halfway house that was closing down. Worried that they would have to leave and not have a safe place to go, they decided to rent a house together and hold each other accountable to staying sober. Within six months they had enough money saved to open a second house, to meet the need for more beds. With the help of Federal and State programs this growth has continued and today there are Oxford Houses in almost every state, and in several countries. Often, a halfway house will have staff present for monitoring and support. This provides a structured environment to support people working to prevent relapse.

How much sobriety is needed?

• They alone take responsibility for their own recovery and the maintenance of an alcohol-and drug-free living environment.
• As a democratically run, self-supporting, and drug-free home, it has helped many people in their journey towards sobriety.
• These individuals usually need to have at least 3 months of continuous clean time.
• The rules which govern the house are for the most part also made by those who live in a particular Oxford House Such autonomy is essential for the Oxford House system to work.
• The homes usually include a kitchen, common areas and laundry accommodations.

In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a democratically run, self-supporting and drug free home. Parallel to this concept lies the organizational structure of Oxford House, Inc. 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.

Q. What is the success rate for Oxford House residents?

• OHI owns no property and devotes all its resources toward supporting and expanding the Oxford House™ network of houses.
• In both cases, financial assistance is in the form of a loan having a pay back schedule, not to exceed one year, defined up front.
• Unlike many halfway houses, sober homes are not monitored by state agencies.
• 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.
• We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services.
• But many sober homes require residents to attend support group meetings or participate in 12-step programs or outpatient treatment, which may be an additional cost for residents to consider.

The thirteen men living in the halfway house rented the building and decided to run it themselves. That was an important change because recovering individuals take different lengths of time to become comfortable enough in sobriety to avoid relapse. Sober living homes are structured, safe and substance-free living environments for individuals in recovery. They are also commonly known as sober houses, recovery homes, halfway houses or recovery residences.

Sample Lease

As discussed in the previous section, Who is Responsible, an integral element of Oxford House’s efficacy as a treatment for alcoholism is the «group responsibility» that the Oxford House model requires. Oxford Houses meet the Charter requirement that the House must be self-run on a democratic basis by making important decisions as a group and by appointing members to execute those decisions. This element of group responsibility is integral to Oxford House’s treatment efficacy. For this reason, the property must be run, on a democratic basis, for the benefit of the House as a group rather than for any individual member. The property must therefore be leased to the House to accurately reflect that the House is leasing the property for the benefit of the House as a group and that the House will be responsible as a group.

Oxford House Rules

Another difference between an Oxford House and a Halfway House is the length of stay. The average stay is for about one year, but there is no rule that requires someone to leave. In Pennsylvania, licensed halfway houses follow particular rules and systems approved by the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol programs.

• 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.
• Oxford House, Inc. will consider favorably a Charter application whether or not a loan is received from the State or some other outside source.
• We are visually recognizing our growth with a unified look that better reflects who we are today and the passion we have for helping everyone with their addiction and mental health recovery journeys.
• The owner or staff will also provide support and guidance to the residence.
• Q. How much sobriety or clean time is needed before an individual can be accepted into an Oxford House?

What is the Difference Between a Halfway House and an Oxford House?

Oxford House facilities maintain a consistent model across locations, focused on peer support as an essential component of recovery. Oxford Houses are primarily for those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Residents should also be prepared to participate in the democratic decision-making processes within the house. 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.

An underlying principle of Oxford House is that each individual member has the ability to be responsible for himself. Living within an Oxford House provides both the opportunity and motivation for all residents to regularly attend AA and/or NA meetings. The example of Oxford House members going to AA or NA meetings on their own is contagious. People living in a halfway house are only permitted a certain length of stay.

Another story behind the creation of the shoe suggests that it was created at Balmoral Castle by Prince Albert. Apparently, the prince wore lace-up boots for hunting, and the laces are one of oxford house traditions the more iconic features of the shoe — and one that was novel during that time period. Oxford officials are still investigating the cause but suspect that the fire started in the kitchen.

• Major differences are the presence of professional staff and prescribed length of stay.
• 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.
• Through chapters individual houses are able to share their experience, strength and hope with each other to assure compliance with the Oxford House concept and its respected standardized system of operations.
• Oxford House, Inc. will consider favorably a Charter application whether or not a loan is received from the State.
• A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that most Oxford House residents stayed more than a year, but some residents stayed more than three years.

Comparison with Other Facilities

While both halfway houses and Oxford Houses provide structured environments, Oxford House emphasizes more on individual accountability and the importance of peer support. Furthermore, halfway houses usually have a predetermined length of stay, whereas Oxford House allows residents to stay as long as they need to maintain their sobriety, as long as they continue following the house rules. Oxford Houses are family homes that groups of recovering individuals rent to live together in an environment supportive of recovery from addiction. Each house is self-run and self-supported following a standardized system of democratic operation. Each group obtains a charter from Oxford House, Inc., the umbrella organization for the national network of individual Oxford Houses. Oxford House Inc., is a non-profit, tax exempt, publicly supported corporation which acts as a umbrella organization for the national network of Oxford Houses.