Oxford House - Mariposa

Oxford House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that pioneered the Oxford House Model in 1975 as a self-run, self-supported recovery residence for individuals overcoming substance use disorders. Founded when residents of a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, took over the property to continue their sobriety, Oxford House has grown to over 3,500 democratically operated, gender-specific sober living homes across 47 states and internationally, housing more than 24,000 individuals in recovery at any time. The core philosophy centers on 'Recovery. Responsibility. Replication,' providing a community-based, supportive environment where residents elect officers for six-month terms, share equal expenses, and maintain 100% drug- and alcohol-free living through immediate expulsion for relapse, with no time limits on stays—averaging about a year but often much longer. While not organizationally affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, Oxford House strongly encourages active participation in these programs to ensure long-term sobriety, and research from DePaul University and others demonstrates exceptional outcomes, including 80% sustained recovery rates, reduced incarceration, and improved employment compared to usual care. Targeting recovering alcoholics, drug addicts, veterans, women with children, and those with co-occurring mental health disorders, Oxford House fosters personal responsibility, peer support, and expansion through technical assistance and state revolving loan funds, proving the model's evidence-based effectiveness in helping residents achieve stable, relapse-free lives.