Oxford House - Council Oak
2312 Council Oak Drive, South Bend, IN 46628
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.
What we treat
Treatment & Programs
Levels of Care
Oxford House - Council Oak operates as a self-run, self-supported sober living environment. Residents typically transition into the home after completing a 28-day rehabilitation or detoxification program. There are no arbitrary time limits placed on a resident's stay. Individuals can utilize this aftercare support for as long as they maintain their sobriety and fulfill their household responsibilities.
Therapies
The model remains strictly non-professional, meaning there are no clinical therapists, counselors, or house managers on site. Instead, residents build self-efficacy through mutual peer support and shared responsibility. Members are strongly encouraged to actively participate in outside 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous to sustain their recovery.
Addictions
The residence provides a safe harbor for individuals recovering from both drug addiction and alcoholism. This democratically run home enforces a strict, zero-tolerance policy regarding substance use. Any member who returns to drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs is immediately expelled to protect the household. This absolute commitment to abstinence ensures a secure environment for everyone's recovery journey.
Conditions
While primary support centers on substance use disorders, the peer-led model also successfully accommodates individuals with co-occurring mental health challenges. DePaul University studies on the network show that residents managing severe psychiatric symptoms thrive in this community setting. Members learn to properly manage their health needs while working collaboratively toward comfortable, long-term sobriety.
Issues
Many incoming members face profound life disruptions, including histories of homelessness, job loss, or significant criminal justice issues. The community provides the stable footing needed to find steady employment and rebuild responsible lives. By sharing this journey with peers, members naturally develop a powerful, recovery-focused sober social network.
Programs
The guiding philosophy here is a deeply rooted, evidence-based recovery community model. Oxford House - Council Oak is completely peer-led and operates through a highly structured participatory democracy. House officers are elected for six-month terms to ensure fair rotation of leadership. Decades of research demonstrate that this abstinence-oriented approach significantly reduces relapse rates compared to traditional step-down care.
On-site
Amenities
The physical space is an ordinary single-family home seamlessly integrated into a residential South Bend neighborhood. Most bedrooms are shared to discourage isolation and help newcomers relearn essential social skills. Everyone pitches in to complete everyday chores and maintain the household together.
Coverage
Payment
Every member living at Oxford House - Council Oak pays an Equal Expense Share to keep the home entirely financially self-supporting. This weekly or monthly self-payment covers the total rent, community utilities, and basic staple supplies. By splitting all living costs equally, residents enjoy a highly affordable way to maintain safe, long-term housing.
Please contact the facility directly to verify insurance coverage and payment options. Many facilities offer free insurance verification.
Eligibility
Who We Serve
This specific model relies entirely on gender-separate housing, meaning each individual home serves exclusively men or exclusively women. The South Bend community welcomes adults from wildly diverse backgrounds, including a significant number of military veterans seeking a fresh start. Prospective members must formally interview with the current residents and secure an 80 percent approval vote to move in.
Additional Services
The broader network provides extensive technical assistance and training through dedicated outreach workers and local chapters. Once residents successfully transition out of the home, they are highly encouraged to join the active alumni association. These former members frequently return to offer friendship, guidance, and visible proof that long-term recovery is possible.
About
Facility Info
Located in South Bend, Indiana, this residence operates under the national umbrella of a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It functions entirely without outside authority, existing as an autonomous, self-governing entity within the broader state association. This grassroots setting proves that individuals recovering from addiction can effectively manage their own collaborative neighborhood homes.
Credentials
Accreditations
The underlying operational model is proudly listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. Earning this federal government recognition was the result of rigorous independent reviews and massive longitudinal studies tracking long-term resident success. The house also maintains an active, official charter that guarantees strict adherence to the organization's historic recovery traditions.
- 2312 Council Oak Drive, South Bend, IN 46628
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