Oxford House - Council Oak

Oxford House, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 that pioneered a unique, evidence-based model of self-run, self-supported sober living homes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. Originating from a group of residents who took over a closing halfway house in Silver Spring, Maryland, to avoid relapse and foster long-term recovery, Oxford House has grown to over 3,500 democratically operated, gender-specific residences across 47 states, housing more than 24,000 people annually and emphasizing the principles of Recovery, Responsibility, and Replication. The model provides a community-based, supportive environment where members share responsibilities, pay equal expenses, and maintain 100% drug and alcohol-free living, with no time limits on stays as long as sobriety is upheld, enabling residents—many with histories of homelessness, incarceration, co-occurring mental health issues, or military service—to develop leadership skills, self-efficacy, and comfortable sobriety through peer support and active participation in programs like AA and NA. Backed by extensive research, including studies from DePaul University showing significantly lower relapse rates (around 20% vs. 80% in usual care), higher employment, and reduced criminal involvement compared to traditional aftercare, Oxford House serves as a vital, non-professional recovery resource that empowers alcoholics and addicts to rebuild responsible lives while expanding access to affordable, long-term housing without external authority or professional management.