Oxford House - Marjo

Oxford House, Inc., is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that pioneered the Oxford House Model in 1975, providing self-run, self-supported, and democratically governed sober living homes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Founded by Paul Molloy and other residents who took over a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, the organization has grown to over 3,500 houses across 47 states, housing more than 24,000 residents at any given time, with a mission to offer community-based, supportive environments that foster long-term recovery, responsibility, and replication of the model. Each Oxford House is a gender-specific residence accommodating at least six members, where residents elect officers for six-month terms, share equal expenses, and maintain 100% abstinence from drugs and alcohol, with immediate expulsion for violations to protect the group's sobriety. The evidence-based approach emphasizes autonomy, peer support, and integration with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, achieving remarkable outcomes such as over 80% long-term sobriety rates, reduced criminal involvement, and improved employment, as validated by extensive research from DePaul University and endorsements from SAMHSA and the U.S. Surgeon General. Targeting men, women, veterans, and special populations like those with children or co-occurring disorders, Oxford House enables residents to stay as long as needed—averaging a year but often much longer—while learning leadership, self-efficacy, and responsible living, ultimately helping thousands achieve stable, productive lives free from addiction.