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This study examined abstinence-specific social support and successful abstention from substance use in a national sample of over 900 Oxford House residents. Results were quite positive; only 18.5% of the participants who left Oxford House during the course of the one-year study reported any substance use (Jason, Davis, Ferrari, & Anderson, 2007). Additionally, over the course of the study, increases were found in the percentage of their social networks who were abstainers or in recovery.
During 2007, the inhabitants of Oxford Houses expended approximately $47,814,156 to pay the operational expenses of the houses. If the Oxford Houses had been traditional, fully staffed halfway houses, the cost to taxpayers would have been $224,388,000 (Oxford House Inc., 2007). Limited research is also available comparing Oxford Houses https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-art-therapy-can-help-in-addiction-recovery/ versus more traditional recovery homes, which also tend to have supervising staff and less democratic self-governing principles. This study did not provide outcome data regarding residents’ experiences living in these recovery communities. Few methodologically sound studies have emerged in the area of traditional recovery homes.
Addiction Recovery: Why a Structured Sober Living Home in New Jersey is Your Best Option
The average length of stay for residents is a year although some have chosen to stay for up to four years. The goal of sober living homes is to monitor and improve health, safety and wellness using peer support. The goal of many halfway houses is to reduce recidivism among felons using supervision.
For all three other study outcomes (including abstinence), Oxford House outperformed usual care regardless of age or diagnostic status. Remember that cost is not the only factor to consider when selecting housing. It is important to research different options so that you can pick the best fit for you. Beyond cost, look into how much support or supervision you want, housing style, expectations for chores, and more.
Peer-support
For those assigned to usual continuing care, case managers at the treatment center referred individuals to different combinations of outpatient treatment, mutual-help, and other community resources. The majority of usual care participants lived in their own home, or the home of a spouse/partner, relative, or a friend (67%). Nearly 20% lived in a non-Oxford, professionally staffed recovery residence. Residents must only abide by the rules of the home, but if they ever use drugs or alcohol while a resident, they are immediately evicted.
- The cost of the Sober Living is typically less then the Recovery Residence.
- Our mission is to provide housing supported by the Oxford Model throughout all areas of the state for those in need, as well as contribute as a dedicated partner organization in support of unity and strength within the recovery community.
- Numerous studies have shown that most people who live in sober homes after attending treatment have low rates of relapse and are able to live productive lives.
- Having time to become comfortable in sobriety might be the single most important part of the Oxford House success story.
Finally, latent growth curve analyses indicated that less support for substance use by significant others and time in Oxford House predicted change in cumulative abstinence over the course of the study. A) In 1975, a tight budget in Montgomery County, Maryland led to a decision to close one of the four county-run halfway houses. The thirteen men living in the halfway house rented the building and decided to run it themselves. They immediately decided to change the rule that limited a stay to six months because they had witnessed that when a person was required to leave because the time was up they almost always relapsed within thirty days of leaving. That was an important change because recovering individuals take different lengths of time to become comfortable enough in sobriety to avoid relapse. A) A recovering individual can live in an Oxford House for as long as he or she does not drink alcohol, does not use drugs, and pays an equal share of the house expenses.
Learning How to Socialize Without Alcohol at a Men’s Halfway House
Residents may stay as long as they need to, although most stay about 1 year. Addicted individuals help themselves by helping each other abstain from alcohol and drug use one day at a time. For many individuals with substance abuse problems, entry into the existing continuum of services begins in a detoxification program.

Residents must commit to maintaining their sobriety and are usually responsible for managing, organizing and taking care of their homes and one another which helps them build the spirit of accountability and community. Residents may also partake in the 12-step program and attend recovery meetings as conditions for their stay. Half the individuals interviewed also had concerns about being the only Hispanic/Latino House member. Despite their initial concerns, participants reported overwhelmingly positive experiences in Oxford House, with the majority of interviewees indicating that they “blended into the house” within their first few weeks.
Residents are required to find employment (although there are community service options for residents who may not be able to do or find work) and take responsibility for their groceries, food, clothes and other personal items. Residents are also expected to pay a monthly rental fee while living in the house. As long as the client is maintaining their sobriety, they may reside in the homes for as long as they feel it is necessary.

The average house price in Oxford is 16.1 times the average wage of someone working in Oxford. Yes, the prospective residents of the House can find a suitable house, rent it, put up the security deposit and pay the first month’s rent themselves. Oxford House, Inc. will consider favorably a Charter application whether or not a loan is received from what is an oxford house the State. Q. What if there is not an Oxford House in the area or there are no vacancies in any Oxford House in the region? 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. In response, policymakers have attempted to create laws allowing states to regulate sober living homes.