Oxford House - Renee

Oxford House is a pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to providing self-run, self-supported recovery homes for individuals overcoming substance use disorders, fostering long-term sobriety through community-based, sober living environments. Founded in 1975 in Silver Spring, Maryland, by Paul Molloy and fellow recovering alcoholics who took over a closing halfway house, Oxford House has grown into a network of over 3,500 democratically governed residences across 47 states, housing more than 24,000 residents annually and supporting hundreds of thousands in achieving sustained recovery. As a 501(c)(3) entity, Oxford House, Inc. issues no-cost charters to new houses, offers technical assistance, and promotes replication of the model, which emphasizes personal responsibility, egalitarian decision-making, and zero tolerance for substance use—expelling any member who relapses to protect the group's sobriety. Residents, typically post-treatment with at least brief sobriety, share equal expenses (ranging $125–$250 weekly), household duties, and leadership roles with six-month term limits, enabling stays as long as needed without arbitrary time restrictions, averaging about a year but often extending years. This evidence-based approach, validated by extensive DePaul University research showing 80% long-term sobriety rates, reduced criminal involvement, and improved employment outcomes compared to usual care, integrates seamlessly with AA/NA participation while accommodating diverse populations including those with co-occurring mental health issues, veterans, women with children, and specialized groups like LGBTQ+ or deaf individuals. By prioritizing self-efficacy, mutual support, and expansion through chapters and associations, Oxford House empowers recovering individuals to rebuild lives free from addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, serving as a vital bridge to stable, productive community reintegration.