House & Chapter Literature & Guidelines » Oxford Houses of Virginia

Only the very fortunate are able to make such a transition upon demand. Each individual recovers from alcoholism or drug addiction at a different pace. All too often, an abrupt transition from a protected environment to an environment which places considerable glamour on the use of alcohol and drugs causes a return to alcoholic drinking or addictive drug use.

Any initial grants or loans used to secure a location are paid off collectively by the residents. The organization is divided into local regional chapters, but each house is autonomous, setting its own rules, restrictions and expectations for conduct. Chores and bills are divided, and any issue that may impact the house—including who is permitted to live there—is put to a vote.

Q. How many individuals lived in an Oxford House during 2010?

Oxford House will not charter a house with fewer than six individuals because experience has shown that it takes at least six individuals to form an effective group. If you were observant, you may be wondering why ‘hotel’ and ‘hour’ don’t use the same indefinite article, even though they both start with ‘h’. Remember, we need to look at the starting sound, not letter, and since ‘hour’ is pronounced with a silent ‘h’, it starts with a vowel sound – which means you need ‘an’. They function like adjectives, as they modify the noun in the sentence.

Before spreading the word, an individual Oxford House should make certain that it is sufficiently established to undertake public discussion of it goals and mission. The best sales pitch for spreading the word about Oxford House is simply the establishment of a sound Oxford House and a straightforward discussion of what it is, how it works and why it is needed. Some operate for several years and then, because of expiration of a lease, dissatisfaction with the facilities, or simply the finding of a better location, the members of a particular House will move into a new location. Other Houses often help that type of move as well as the brand new House. In both cases, financial assistance is in the form of a loan having a pay back schedule, not to exceed one year, defined up front.

When to use a/an, the and no article

First of all, no Oxford House may permit individuals to remain as members if those individuals are drinking or using drugs. Second, an Oxford House must follow the democratic principles in running the house. Third, an Oxford House must, in essence be a good member of the community by obeying the laws and paying its bills.

• Failure to adhere to any of these three requirements would bring the entire Oxford House concept into question.
• While no one is ever asked to leave an Oxford House without cause, some individuals will simply outgrow living in an Oxford House.
• Oxford House, Inc. will consider favorably a Charter application whether or not a loan is received from the State or some other outside source.
• The eventual result of her addiction was a heart attack that nearly took her life.
• Following national expansion of Oxford House™ in 1989, a number of cases or controversies have arisen as some communities or companies have attempt to treat an Oxford House™ different than an ordinary family would have been treated.

A recovering individual can live in an Oxford House for as long as he or she does not drink alcohol, does not use drugs, and pays an equal share of the house expenses. The average stay is about a year, but many residents stay three, four, or more years. Like other sober living homes, people in Oxford Houses come and go.

Q. How difficult is it to find another house to rent?

Such meetings should be used to resolve any operational or personality problems facing the house. At any given time there are about 2,000 Oxford House residents who have served in the military. During the course of a year more than 4,000 what is an oxford house veterans will live in an Oxford House. Some houses are all veterans but primarily veterans are integrated into the normal Oxford House population. Experience of Oxford House has shown that from 8 to 15 members works very well.

Modest rooms and living facilities can become luxurious suites when viewed from an environment of alcoholics working together for comfortable sobriety. Oxford House has as its primary goal the provision of housing and rehabilitative support for the alcoholic and drug addict who wants to stop drinking or using drugs and stay stopped. An Oxford House is a self-run and self-supported recovery house. Addicted individuals help themselves by helping each other abstain  from alcohol and drug use one day at a time.

DePaul University Research on Oxford House

They will return to their families; they may start new families; they may simply move into another living situation. The concept and the standardized, democratic, self-supported Oxford House system of operations itself are far more persuasive than any individual. Be honest and straight-forward when sharing the Oxford House concept with others.

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. Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supported recovery homes for same sexed individuals. These homes are typically found in quiet, nice neighborhoods and offer a drug and alcohol free living environment for those in early recovery.