Oxford House - Knox

Oxford House is a nonprofit organization that pioneered the concept of self-run, self-supported recovery homes in 1975, providing community-based, supportive, and sober living environments for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, including alcohol and drug addiction, with a focus on those who have experienced homelessness, incarceration, or co-occurring mental health issues. Founded when residents of a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, took over the property and established democratic governance, equal expense sharing, and strict zero-tolerance for substance use, Oxford House emphasizes recovery, responsibility, and replication through its evidence-based model, which has enabled over 3,500 houses across 47 states to house more than 24,000 residents annually, achieving remarkable long-term sobriety rates exceeding 80% as validated by extensive research from institutions like DePaul University. The approach fosters leadership, self-efficacy, and peer support without professional management or time limits, allowing members to stay as long as they remain sober, non-disruptive, and contribute financially, while Oxford House, Inc., issues charters, provides technical assistance, and promotes expansion to offer affordable, stable housing that integrates with programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous for sustained abstinence and reintegration into society.