No significant differences were found in relation to residents’ number of days in outpatient and residential psychiatric treatment, abstinence rates, and Oxford House residence status. These findings suggest that a high level of psychiatric severity is not an impediment to residing in self-run, self-help settings such as Oxford House among persons with psychiatric co-morbid substance use disorders. Recovery residences are less expensive than living at a rehabilitation facility or detox center because fewer services are offered. But many sober homes require residents to attend support group meetings or participate in 12-step programs or outpatient treatment, which may be an additional cost for residents to consider.

Most homes have household meetings nightly, and residents often attend treatment, support group meetings or other wellness activities together. Erik, in recovery from addiction, discusses his support system and how staying in a sober living environment helped him. Recovery residences/sober living programs are certified by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences state affiliate, Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Residences . ODMHSAS funds, both directly and through collaborative grant efforts, three recovery housing programs. In Pennsylvania, licensed halfway houses follow particular rules and systems approved by the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol programs.

Oxford Houses

In addition, property values for individuals next to recovery homes were not significantly different from those living a block away. These findings suggest that well-managed and well-functioning substance abuse recovery homes elicit constructive and positive attitudes toward these homes and individuals in recovery (Ferrari, Jason, Sasser et al., 2006). Halfway houses dedicated to sober living are sometimes referred to as sober houses. Other names include dry houses, community-based residential facilities, recovery residences, transitional living environments, residential re-entry centers, or community release centers.

Richman A, Neumann B. Breaking the ‘detox-loop’ for alcoholics with social detoxification. Jason LA, Ferrari JR, Freeland M, Danielewicz J, Olson BD. Observing organizational and interaction behaviors among mutual-help recovery home members. what is an oxford house Inciardi JA, Martin SS, Butzin CA. Five-year outcomes of Therapeutic Community Treatment of drug-involved offenders after release from prison. Substance Abuse Guide for Parents Find out what you can do to protect your children.

What is the Difference Between a Halfway House and an Oxford House?

Limited research, however, is available regarding how Oxford House settings compare to other treatments. Using cross sectional data, Ferrari, Jason, Davis, Olson, and Alvarez compared the operational policies of 55 Oxford Houses to those of 14 Therapeutic Communities . Neither type of facility permitted self-injurious behaviors (e.g., physical self-harm or misuse of medication) or destructive acts (e.g., destroying site property or others’ possessions). Oxford Houses, however, were significantly more liberal in permitting residents personal liberties compared to the TC facilities.

Thus, after individuals assigned to the Oxford House condition were brought to one of 20 residences across the state, current members voted on whether they could become a resident, as per Oxford House policy. Only one research participant was rejected by vote initially, though research staff subsequently brought this person to another house, who approved his/her residence. The first Oxford House was started in 1975 in Silver Springs MD by a group of recovering alcoholics/addicts who were living in a halfway house that was closing down. Worried that they would have to leave and not have a safe place to go, they decided to rent a house together and hold each other accountable to staying sober.