Oxford House - Heatherwood

1429 N. Bancroft St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

4.3 (60 reviews)

Oxford House is a pioneering nonprofit organization founded in 1975, offering self-run, self-supported recovery homes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, including alcohol and drug addiction, with a core philosophy centered on 'Recovery.
Responsibility. Replication.' As a 501(c)(3) entity, Oxford House, Inc. provides technical assistance and charters to expand its evidence-based model nationwide, now encompassing over 3,500 democratically governed, gender-specific residences across 47 states that house more than 24,000 residents at any time.
These community-based sober living environments emphasize long-term stays without time limits, where members share equal responsibilities for household operations, finances, and chores, fostering leadership, self-efficacy, and abstinence through immediate expulsion for any relapse; residents, often coming from backgrounds of homelessness, incarceration, or multiple treatment episodes, benefit from peer support, integration with AA/NA programs, and a structured network of chapters, associations, and field staff that promotes expansion and accountability.
Serving diverse populations including veterans, women with children, those with co-occurring mental health issues, and special groups like LGBTQ+ or deaf individuals, Oxford House achieves unmatched outcomes—such as 80% long-term sobriety rates per DePaul University studies—by treating the whole person in affordable, drug-free homes that enable continued employment, family reconnection, and productive lives while replicating the model to meet growing demand.

What we treat

Treatment & Programs

Levels of Care

Instead of time-limited treatment, the program offers a long-term sober living solution for those exiting primary care. Residents are welcome to stay as long as they need, utilizing the house as a vital form of aftercare support while they rebuild their routines. There is no maximum length of stay, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace without the pressure of an impending discharge.

Sober Living Aftercare Support

Therapies

Because this model relies strictly on peer support and community accountability, no formal clinical therapies are provided on-site. Prospective residents are encouraged to seek outside professionals or outpatient counselors independently if they require specialized therapeutic interventions.

Addictions

Built around an abstinence-only framework, this residence provides a haven for those recovering from severe drug addiction and chronic alcohol abuse. The community maintains a strict, zero-tolerance policy where any return to substance use results in immediate expulsion to secure the household's continued sobriety.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Conditions

While the primary clinical focus rests on overcoming substance use disorder, the peer-led environment is also equipped to support individuals managing co-occurring mental illness. Long-term studies conducted by DePaul University indicate that residents successfully learn to balance necessary medications while leaning on the group for daily stability.

Issues

Oxford House - Heatherwood is uniquely positioned to assist individuals transitioning out of difficult circumstances, including recent criminal justice issues or periods of homelessness and housing insecurity. By fostering a powerful sober social network, the household helps members relearn personal responsibility, secure employment, and successfully reintegrate into the local Indiana community.

Homelessness/Housing Insecurity Criminal Justice Issues Sober Social Network / Community Building

Programs

The guiding philosophy at Oxford House - Heatherwood is anchored in the core values of "Recovery, Responsibility, and Replication." As an evidence-based, peer-led model, the house relies on democratic voting for all baseline decisions rather than an outside house manager. This heavily abstinence-oriented approach has been recognized by national government registries as a highly effective pathway to lasting change.

Abstinence Oriented Evidence Based Peer-Led / Recovery Community Model

On-site

Amenities

The property functions like any ordinary single-family home in Indianapolis, designed intentionally to prevent isolation during early sobriety. Newcomers typically reside in shared rooms, ensuring they build immediate connections with roommates while jointly managing household chores and daily upkeep.

Shared Rooms

Coverage

Payment

Financial responsibility is a core pillar of Oxford House - Heatherwood, with every resident utilizing self-payment to cover their monthly obligations out of pocket. Each member pays what is known as an "Equal Expense Share," which splits rent and utilities evenly to create a highly affordable alternative to traditional halfway houses.

Please contact the facility directly to verify insurance coverage and payment options. Many facilities offer free insurance verification.

Eligibility

Who We Serve

Although the overarching nonprofit network serves diverse populations, individual homes remain strictly gender-specific to ensure focused comfort. This particular residence welcomes adult men and women into an egalitarian environment where every roommate, regardless of tenure, has an equal vote. Prospective residents should reach out directly to the Indianapolis location to confirm exact demographics and current bed availability.

Genders Accepted

Men Women

Additional Services

A broad infrastructure of technical assistance and regional field staff supports the daily operations of this residence. Beyond their immediate stay in gender-separate housing, successful members naturally transition into an active alumni program, offering ongoing mentorship to newer housemates.

Gender-Separate HousingAlumni ProgramHousing Assistance

About

Facility Info

Operating as a chartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Oxford House - Heatherwood sits comfortably within a residential Indianapolis neighborhood. The house is entirely autonomous and self-supporting, avoiding outside funding dependencies by relying completely on the shared financial participation of its members.

Credentials

Accreditations

Rather than carrying traditional clinical licensing, this location holds an official charter from the national Oxford House organization. This designation ensures the home complies with the time-tested, democratically run standards established by the founding network.

Oxford House - Heatherwood