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See the De Paul University studies funded by NIDA and Internet Address: www.oxfordhouse.org
NIAAA grants. Reported in AP story August 18, 2005.
Recovering From Alcoholism and Drug Staying Stopped How Oxford Houses Work
Addiction
Throughout its existence, Oxford House has combined the concepts of Oxford Houses are rented family houses where groups
self-support and responsibility with a fellowship having the common
Alcoholism and drug addiction are chronic and purpose of continued and comfortable sobriety.” of recovering individuals rent to live together in an
progressive problems. The alcoholic and drug From Tradition One environment supportive of recovery from addiction.
addict become “hooked” on their drug of choice and Oxford House Manual © Each house is self-run and self-supported following a
physically all cells in their bodies call out for a standardized system of democratic operation. Each
steady supply of the drug. This physical Behavior change is never easy and it is especially group – or treatment provider on behalf of a group –
compulsion causes the mind to trigger any kind of difficult for the individual who is recovering from obtains a charter from Oxford House, Inc., the
behavior needed to get the next drink of alcohol or addiction. While the physical craving for drugs umbrella organization for the national network of
other drug “fix.” Once addicted the only “cure” is ends within a few days, the mind tries to trick an individual Oxford Houses. Get material at
total abstinence -- stopping the use of the alcohol individual into returning to alcohol or drug use. www.oxfordhouse.org
and drugs -- forever. When you think about it, the mind is doing what
comes naturally – forgetting pain and remembering An Oxford House charter has three basic requirements
Stopping the use of drugs and alcohol use is difficult, pleasure. for the group:
but not impossible. Most addicts go through a
number of periods where they stop use because they Professionals speak often of “denial” when dealing • it must be democratically self-run,
have run out of alcohol or their drug of choice. with recovering addicts. The addict really does not • it must be financially self-supported, and
When an addict stops, he or she feels sick because of believe that alcohol and drug use produces harm. • it must expel any resident who returns to
withdrawal; i.e., every cell in the body is calling out The addict “remembers” the good feeling that came using alcohol or drugs.
for the drug and the body shakes, sweats and from the alcohol or drugs and wants to recapture it.
produces great anxiety. The addict really “feels” he At the same time, he or she forgets the violence, The standardized disciplined system of operations has
or she is going to die unless the drug of choice is irrational behavior (fights, loss of job and family), evolved from the 31-year history of Oxford House
obtained quickly. This is called detoxification and it and physical withdrawal that makes one feel sick and permits replication of Oxford Houses throughout
usually ends within minutes after the addict has (hang-overs). the country. All Oxford Houses are tied together to
ingested his or her drug of choice. However, for a assure mutual support and quality control.
fortunate few -- who can go three to seven days Treatment plus Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) – twelve-step self-help Individuals living in an Oxford House™ learn or
without taking their drug of choice -- detoxification
programs – have helped millions of recovering relearn values, responsible behavior and slowly, but
is the beginning of a whole new life.
addicts to change their behavior to adopt lifelong surely, develop long-term behavior to assure
Short-term custody -- in a hospital setting or a abstinence. Unfortunately, many recovering comfortable sobriety – forever. Some individuals live
supervised detoxification facility – is the usual way individuals need more support than AA and NA in Oxford Houses a few months, others for many
to stop an addict’s compulsive use of alcohol and alone. Oxford Houses provide the additional years. Together, these individuals develop each
drugs. Treatment can educate and motivate an support and the time to learn new behavior. Oxford House™ into a place to learn comfortable
individual to stay stopped and Oxford Houses can sobriety without relapse.
help to make treatment successful. About 50% of Oxford House residents nationally
continue aftercare counseling. Residents also go to To get a client into an existing oxford House™ call
Finding a suitable house to rent, recruiting initial an average of 5 AA or NA meetings a week – even the house to find a vacancy or visit the web site. If
residents, teaching the system of operation to the though there is no requirement to do so. No wonder there are no existing houses in your area, start one.
residents and recovery community is often provided 80% of the residents stay clean and sober. For more information or to receive a proposal to help
by trained outreach workers at very little cost. Once your treatment program develop a cluster of Oxford
started it costs very little to keep houses on track Getting into an existing Oxford House™ requires an Houses contact:
because residents run the house and pay expenses. individual application and acceptance by 80% of the
existing residents. If needed, a treatment provider or Oxford House, Inc.
The residents pay the operating costs of the recovery
those in recovery can start a new Oxford House™ if 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 300
homes and operations are maintained by following
the house can accommodate at least six individuals Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
the disciplined, democratic, self-help system of
operation used for more than 33 years. and a charter is granted by Oxford House, Inc.
Telephone (301) 587-2916
❏❏❏ Facsimile (301) 589-0302
❏❏❏ E-mail: Info@oxfordhouse.org