Each Oxford House member, as an individual, considers himself a member of AA and/or NA. While research on AA has been limited by the role of anonymity in recovery, the willingness of the Oxford Houses to open their doors to academic research gives us an opportunity to see recovery from addiction in action. Generally an individual comes into an Oxford House following a 28-day rehabilitation program or at least a 5 to10-day detoxification program. Oxford House, Inc., keeps in touch with the members of each house on a regular basis. This involves weekly reports, periodic phone calls and the maintenance of continuous contact to keep track of vacancies and assure financial responsibility.
Q. How many individuals lived in an Oxford House during 2010?
- 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.
- 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.
- While research on AA has been limited by the role of anonymity in recovery, the willingness of the Oxford Houses to open their doors to academic research gives us an opportunity to see recovery from addiction in action.
- A watershed in those efforts was the decision by the United States Supreme Court in May 1995 in the case City of Edmonds, WA v. Oxford House, Inc. et.
- The members of an Oxford House assume full responsibility for the operation of the House.
The reason that each Oxford House is independent arises from the very practical consideration that those who are closest to a situation are best able to manage it. If an Oxford House follows the democratic principles and traditions of Oxford House, Inc., it should have no difficulty in running smoothly. Those democratic principles will also enable the members of a particular Oxford House to take pride in their new oxford house sober living found responsibility. By running Oxford House on a democratic basis, members of Oxford House become able to accept the authority of the group because the group is a peer group. Each member has an equal voice in the group and each has an opportunity to relearn responsibility and to accept decisions once they are made. Equal Expense Shared (EES) is generally between 80 and 160 dollars a week and includes utilities.
Q. How much sobriety or clean time is needed before an individual can be accepted into an Oxford House?
- The example of Oxford House members going to AA or NA meetings on their own is contagious.
- The situation should be avoided whereby certain individuals will begin to equate their persuasive qualities with the Oxford House concept.
- 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.
- The concept and the standardized, democratic, self-supported Oxford House system of operations itself are far more persuasive than any individual.
The application is then considered by the membership of the House and if there is a vacancy and if 80% of the members approve, the applicant is accepted and moves in. If an applicant does not get voted into one house he or she should try another house in the area. The Oxford House website contains an application and information about How to Apply to live in an Oxford House. That would defeat the whole principle of establishing a system that teaches recovering individuals themselves to be responsible. However, it does the next best thing by utilizing and enforcing its charter concept. In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a democratically run, self-supporting and drug free home.
Are You Ready for Recovery?
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. Other Houses often help that type of move as well as the brand new House. 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.
Q. How difficult is it to find another house to rent?
Who Starts and Manages Oxford Houses?
0 Comments