Oxford House and Real People
The only ‘cure’ for alcoholism and/or drug addiction is behavior change; change so that the afflicted individual will avoid all use of alcohol and/or addictive drugs. This is easier said than done. Studies show fewer than 20 percent of alcoholics and drug addicts who try succeed. It takes time, peer support, and a safe place to live to get comfortable enough in sobriety to avoid going back to compulsive or addictive use.
Oxford Houses are homes rented by groups of recovering alcoholics/drug addicts to help each other become to become clean and sober, and stay that way. There is no time limit. Everyone must stay clean and sober or be expelled; together the recovering residents run the house and pay all their household expenses.
Contributions are used by the nonprofit umbrella organization to start new houses, and provide the training necessary to keep houses on track. Less than 5% of our funding is used for general and administrative expenses; with 95% going directly to expanding the number of houses, and training the self-help principles of Oxford House to the residents. Each year more than 9,000 recovering folks use Oxford Houses, then move out clean and sober. Studies show they stay that way. Individual stories of about 100 residents and alumni are at the OHI website under About Us/Stories. Research studies sponsored by the federal government [NIAAA and NIDA] are available under Publications/Evaluations/DePaul.
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