Oxford House - Olympus

Oxford House, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a network of over 3,500 self-run, self-supported recovery homes across the United States, providing community-based, supportive, and sober living environments for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Founded in 1975 when residents of a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, took over the property and established a democratic, drug- and alcohol-free model of group living, Oxford House emphasizes recovery, responsibility, and replication through its time-tested, evidence-based approach. Each Oxford House is a rented, gender-specific residence housing at least six members who democratically elect officers, share household responsibilities and equal expenses, and enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy for substance use, with immediate expulsion for violations. There are no time limits on stays, allowing residents to remain as long as they maintain sobriety, contribute financially, and avoid disruption, fostering long-term recovery, leadership skills, and self-efficacy. Supported by extensive research, including studies from DePaul University showing significantly lower substance use, higher employment, and reduced incarceration rates compared to usual care, Oxford House, Inc. issues charters, provides technical assistance, and facilitates expansion through chapters, associations, and field staff, serving hundreds of thousands of individuals by promoting peer support, autonomy, and reintegration into society without external management or authority.