This approach empowers residents to collectively manage their living environment, fostering a sense of ownership, responsibility, and shared purpose. It is within this framework of collaborative decision-making that individuals rebuild their lives and solidify their recovery. During our drinking and drug use years, and even before, many of us found it difficult to accept authority. Many individuals in society are able to abide by the strict letter of any rule, regulation , or law.
- Each member pays EES (Equal Expense Share) which includes the total amount of rent due for the month as well as the cost of utilities, telephone, cable TV and any other expenses that the house includes in its common expenditures.
- Central to this approach is the utilization of recovery literature, which provides a common language and framework for understanding addiction and its complexities.
- By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, chapters contribute to the overall strength and sustainability of the Oxford House network.
- Sharing chores ensures a clean and comfortable living environment for everyone.
Protecting the Community
The World Council is comprised of 12 members, 9 of which presently live in an Oxford House, 3 who are alumni. During early recovery for alcoholism and drug addiction, some members had to leave an institution in order to make room for an alcoholic or drug addict just beginning the recovery process. Other members were asked to leave halfway houses in order to make room for a recovering alcoholic or recovering drug addict who was ready to move into a halfway house. Each individual recovers from alcoholism or drug addiction at a different pace. All too often, an abrupt transition from a protected environment to an environment which places considerable glamour on the use of alcohol and drugs causes a return to alcoholic drinking or addictive drug use. In fact, Oxford House creates an environment whereby each member can more fully realize the benefits available from active AA or NA membership.
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. This not only helps those individuals to become more involved in AA or NA, and thereby reap greater individual benefits, but also helps to build strong bonds between local AA and NA groups and Oxford 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. 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. (Since 1989, many new Oxford Houses have taken advantage of state revolving loan programs.
Ethical Conduct and Building Trust: The Social Fabric of Recovery

The members of an Oxford House assume full responsibility for the operation of the https://wordpress-353567-5156461.cloudwaysapps.com/essential-tremor-and-how-to-manage-it/ House. The rent that is charged the members is determined by the members themselves in a democratic fashion. 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.

Oxford House Traditions: What I Wish I Knew Before Moving In
Loneliness and self-pity soon lead such individuals back to alcoholic drinking or drug use. With Oxford House there is no need for a recovering individual to live in an environment dominated by loneliness. Moving into an Oxford House can be a significant step toward recovery, but understanding the unwritten rules makes the transition smoother. Oxford House Halfway house traditions emphasize self-help, which fosters a supportive environment.
House Rules and Guidelines
When you call a house to set up an interview you can ask them how much their EES is. Each house adheres to the absolute requirement that any member who returns to using alcohol or drugs must be immediately expelled. Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the members who elect officers to serve for terms of six months. House officers have term limits to avoid bossism or corruption of egalitarian democracy.
Recovery from substance use disorder can be a challenging journey, but Oxford House provides a supportive environment founded on democratic principles. These houses, numbering over 3,000 across the United States, operate successfully because each resident actively participates in maintaining a safe and sober living space, guided by twelve well-established Oxford House traditions. The Oxford House Manual serves as the central resource, detailing the specific guidelines and expectations that promote responsible behavior and community amongst its members. Maintaining sobriety within an Oxford House is paramount, as regular house meetings allow residents to support each other and reinforce these commitments, ensuring a pathway to sustained recovery. 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.
Beyond individual accountability, ethical conduct and mutual trust form the social oxford house traditions fabric that holds an Oxford House together. Respect, honesty, and open communication are essential for creating a safe and supportive environment where residents can thrive. The Group Conscience guides decisions on a variety of issues, from approving new residents to resolving conflicts and addressing violations of house rules. The emphasis is on peer support and shared accountability, creating a powerful environment for sustained sobriety.
Individual Accountability: The Pathway to Sustained Recovery
For those of us who had been in institutions or half-way houses, resentments against authority were common. As our recovery progressed, the supervision and dependency on a half-way house created dissatisfaction. The third factor affecting us both in the rehabilitation facilities and the half-way houses was the realization that the duration of our stay must be limited because space must be made for others in need of help. By adhering to them, residents learn responsibility, accountability, and conflict resolution, all crucial for sustained sobriety and re-integration into society.

By leveraging these resources, Oxford Houses can operate with greater efficiency, consistency, and fairness, ultimately enhancing the recovery experience for all members. By providing a consistent format for gathering and organizing information, these templates save time and effort, allowing members to focus on their recovery. One of the key benefits of the Oxford House Manual is that it promotes consistency across all houses within the network. This manual serves as a critical reference point, ensuring that each house, regardless of its location, adheres to the established standards and procedures that define the Oxford House model. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, chapters contribute to the overall strength and sustainability of the Oxford House network. While individual Oxford Houses operate autonomously, they are not isolated entities.

