Oxford House - Virago

313 S 32nd Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803

Oxford House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1975 that pioneered the concept of self-run, self-supported, and democratically governed sober living homes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, including alcohol and drug addiction.
Originating from a group of residents who took over a closing halfway house in Montgomery County, Maryland, to avoid relapse and foster long-term sobriety, Oxford House has grown to over 3,500 houses across 47 states, housing more than 24,000 residents annually, with a proven track record of success evidenced by studies showing 80% sobriety rates after one year.
The organization's core philosophy emphasizes recovery through responsibility and replication, providing affordable, community-based environments where residents share expenses (typically $125-$250 weekly), elect officers for six-month terms, and enforce strict rules of 100% drug and alcohol abstinence, immediate expulsion for violations, and no external authority or time limits on stays—allowing members to remain as long as they maintain sobriety and contribute equitably.
Oxford Houses are gender-specific, autonomous yet interconnected through chapters, associations, and the national body, encouraging active participation in AA/NA while promoting leadership, self-efficacy, and peer support to reintegrate individuals—many with histories of homelessness, incarceration, or co-occurring mental health issues—into productive lives, serving diverse populations including veterans, women with children, and those from special communities like deaf or Native American groups.

What we treat

Treatment & Programs

Levels of Care

As a time-tested model for aftercare support, Oxford House - Virago provides a stable sober living environment for those actively pursuing long-term recovery. There is no predetermined maximum length of stay, allowing members to remain as long as they maintain their sobriety. This naturally empowering step-down option helps individuals slowly relearn responsible behavior without the pressure of a looming move-out date.

Sober Living Aftercare Support

Therapies

Rather than utilizing highly clinical therapies or professional managers, the peer model relies entirely on supportive self-governance. Residents do not receive formalized clinical treatment or medical care on the premises. Instead, the house strongly encourages members to actively participate in local community support gatherings. Individuals can always seek outside professional guidance whenever it might holistically enhance their personal recovery journey.

Addictions

The home offers a protective environment for individuals committed to overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism. The core philosophy requires complete abstinence throughout the entirety of a resident's stay. Any resident who returns to drinking alcohol or using illicit substances faces immediate expulsion from the property. This strict absolute boundary ensures that the household remains a completely safe haven for everyone working toward recovery.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Conditions

Oxford House - Virago is built to support the daily realities of living with a substance use disorder. By removing the deep loneliness that often leads to relapse, the community fosters crucial peer accountability. The residents share everyday life challenges together to build resilient coping mechanisms. This localized approach creates a supportive network that intimately understands the complexities of maintaining comfortable sobriety.

Issues

A significant portion of accepted members arrive with histories involving severe housing insecurity, periods of unemployment, or past criminal justice issues. The cooperative home provides a vital opportunity to rebuild a sober social network from the ground up. Slowly but surely, members regain their daily footing and secure reliable employment. They learn how to navigate life's fundamental responsibilities alongside peers walking the exact same path.

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

Programs

This abstinence-oriented community operates firmly under an evidence-based, peer-led recovery model. It has been rigorously studied by independent researchers at DePaul University, demonstrating high rates of lasting sobriety. Every major house decision is made democratically, with residents actively electing house officers to serve six-month terms. This unique egalitarian structure successfully prevents hierarchy while ensuring that every individual has an equal voice.

Abstinence Oriented Evidence Based Peer-Led / Recovery Community Model

On-site

Amenities

Situated in an ordinary residential neighborhood, Oxford House - Virago functions just like a typical single-family home. Residents typically sleep in shared rooms, which organically discourages isolation for those in early recovery. These shared living spaces feature standard conveniences like cable television integration. The completely peer-run setting provides a comfortable space where members can easily relax and interact like family.

Shared Rooms Cable/Satellite TV

Coverage

Payment

Financial self-reliance is a foundational cornerstone of the overall model, leaning exclusively on self-payment. Every newly accepted member pays a straightforward Equal Expense Share on a weekly or monthly basis. This carefully calculated fee effectively covers the overall rent, household utilities, and communal pantry staples. The highly affordable approach allows recovering members to organically rebuild their independence and essential financial literacy.

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

Eligibility

Who We Serve

While the broader national network serves diverse demographics, individual residences operate as strictly gender-specific homes. The Terre Haute location welcomes men and women who have typically completed formal rehabilitation programs. Prospective members must be actively seeking a highly self-reliant, substance-free living community. This intensely collaborative environment is specifically designed for adults ready to accept absolute personal responsibility.

Genders Accepted

Men Women

Additional Services

The broader peer support system is firmly anchored by fundamental housing assistance principles. Members who leave the Terre Haute residence in good standing are highly encouraged to join the active alumni program. These successful alumni frequently return to offer enduring friendship and practical guidance. They serve as a powerful visible example of success to the newest household members.

Alumni ProgramHousing AssistancePeer Support

About

Facility Info

Serving the Terre Haute, Indiana community, Oxford House - Virago operates under the umbrella of Oxford House, Inc. This parent entity is a formally recognized and widely respected nonprofit organization. There are no outside owners, facility managers, or overriding clinical authorities present on the property. This decentralized approach allows the local home to remain completely autonomous and naturally integrated into the surrounding neighborhood.

Credentials

Accreditations

The home operates under a formal conditional or permanent charter granted directly by Oxford House, Inc. This charter ensures strict ongoing adherence to the organization's standardized system of democratic operations. Because it functions as a self-run peer home rather than a clinical entity, it does not carry traditional medical accreditations. Prospective residents are simply asked to remain dedicated to absolute abstinence and communal respect.

Oxford House - Virago