Oxford House - Abbeywood

Oxford House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a network of over 3,500 self-run, self-supported recovery homes across the United States and beyond, offering community-based, supportive, and sober living environments for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Founded in 1975 when residents of a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, took over its management to continue their recovery journey, Oxford House embodies the principles of Recovery, Responsibility, and Replication. The Oxford House Model is an evidence-based, time-tested system that promotes long-term sobriety through democratic self-governance, where residents elect officers for six-month terms and make decisions by majority vote, ensuring no outside authority or house manager interferes. Houses are financially self-supporting, with each member paying an equal share of expenses (EES), typically ranging from $125 to $250 per week, covering rent, utilities, and household needs. Central to the model is a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use, with immediate expulsion for any relapse, alongside no time limits on residency as long as members remain sober, non-disruptive, and pay their share—allowing average stays of about a year, though many remain for three years or more. This peer-driven approach treats the whole person, supporting diverse populations including men, women (some with children), veterans, those with co-occurring mental health disorders, and special groups like LGBTQ+ or deaf individuals, while research from DePaul University and others demonstrates unmatched outcomes: residents achieve significantly lower substance use (31.3% vs. 64.8% in usual care), higher employment and income, and reduced incarceration rates. Oxford House, Inc. issues free charters, provides technical assistance via field staff, and fosters expansion through chapters, state associations, and the World Council, empowering recovering individuals to build responsibility, leadership, and lasting sobriety while replicating the model nationwide to save lives and restore communities.