Publications and Research

The Washington Post details the early story of Oxford House. Paul Molloy's vision was to establish self-supporting, self-governed homes for recovering alcoholics and addicts across America.

This study found that participants assigned to an Oxford House compared to usual care condition had significantly less substance use and criminal involvement, and significantly better employment outcomes. After tracking each group for two years, those in the Oxford House condition compared to the usual care condition had lower substance use (31.3% vs. 64.8%), higher monthly income ($989.40 vs. $440.00), and lower incarceration rates (3% vs. 9%).

The Washington Post highlights the success story of Oxford House. The article discusses a challenge in Columbia Heights related to zoning regulations that may threaten the program citywide. Lawyers for Oxford House argue a violation of the federal Fair Housing Act, emphasizing the need to support this cost-effective and successful rehabilitation model in the city.

Oxford House residents actively contribute to their communities, dedicating an average of 10 hours a month to neighborhood involvement. The majority of participants were involved in activities around their recovery. Key findings include 63% of residents involved in mentoring others in recovery, 44% running support groups, and 56% involved in educating the community about Oxford House.

This study investigated the attitudes of neighborhood residents towards Oxford Houses. Results from interviews indicated that those who lived next to an Oxford House versus those who lived a block away had significantly more positive attitudes toward recovery homes including: the importance of substance abusing individuals being able to live in residential neighborhoods and the importance of neighbors to provide a supportive environment to those in recovery.