Oxford House is a concept in recovery from drug and
alcohol addiction. In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a
democratically run, self-supporting and drug free home. Parallel to this
concept lies the organizational structure of Oxford House, Inc. This
publicly supported, non-profit 501(c)3 corporation is the umbrella
organization which provides the network connecting all Oxford Houses and
allocates resources to duplicate the Oxford House concept where needs
arise.
The number of residents in a House may range from six
to fifteen; there are houses for men, houses for women, and houses
which accept women with children. Oxford Houses flourish in metropolitan
areas such as New York City and Washington D.C. and thrive in such
diverse communities as Hawaii, Washington State, Canada and Australia;
but they all abide by the basic criteria.
Each House represents a remarkably effective and low
cost method of preventing relapse. This was the purpose of the first
Oxford House established in 1975, and this purpose is served, day by
day, house after house, in each of nearly2000 houses in the United
States today.