This program is for adults who are recovering from substance abuse and are striving to stay sober.

Oxford House Model, a community-based program, is designed to provide stable housing and a supportive environment for adults who are in recovery from substance abuse and who are attempting to stay drug and alcohol free.

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasiexperimental studies have evaluated the effectiveness if the Oxford House Model, and results have been mixed. One RCT was conducted in which individuals were assigned to live in an Oxford House recovery home or usual aftercare condition, and results indicated that those living in an Oxford House had better overall outcomes for substance use, employment, self-regulation, and awaiting criminal charges at a 24-month follow-up compared to those in usual aftercare. A second RCT was conducted where individuals who had been released from the criminal justice system were randomly assigned to a therapeutic community (TC), an Oxford House, or usual care (UC). Results indicated that those assigned to the Oxford House condition received more money from employment, worked more days, and achieved higher continuous alcohol sobriety rates, compared to those in the TC or UC groups. Although continuous alcohol abstinence rates were highest in the Oxford House condition, alcohol as a primary substance was reported by only 15% of the participants, and there was no difference between groups in continuous abstinence from other drugs, which was the primary substance for 85% of the study sample. Overall, there was no difference between groups in the number of days of alcohol use, days of other drug use, legal issues, incarcerations, psychiatric hospitalizations, or illegal income. In addition, results from a quasiexperimental study among women who were previously involved with the criminal justice system indicated no differences between those living in an Oxford House or those participating in usual aftercare on substance abuse, employment, or arrest outcomes at a 24-month follow-up. In general, residents who live in an Oxford House for 6 or more months tend to have better outcomes compared to those who stay for less than 6 months.

The Oxford House Model consists of rented, single-family homes located in neighborhoods of moderate-income levels. Each house follows guidelines to enhance the occupants' living experience. These guidelines include the following:

• Accommodate 6 to 15 same-gender residents per dwelling;
• Follow a democratic system of operation in which residents elect offices of president, treasurer, secretary, comptroller (i.e., a position responsible for supervising the quality of accounting and financial reporting), and coordinator. These officers serve a maximum of 6 months in the same position;
• Establish a checking account into which rent money from all residents is deposited, and money collected is used to pay monthly household expenses;
• Hold weekly 30- to 60-minute meetings in which residents report on the house’s current financial status, consider any new member applications, resolve any existing problems or concerns, and discuss any proposals or projects to be initiated.

There is no time limit on how long a person can live in any Oxford House, and no member of an Oxford House is asked to leave without cause; however, any resident who returns to using alcohol or drugs will be immediately expelled from the house. In addition, no professional treatment staff live on the premises, and residents may decide to pursue psychological or substance abuse treatment on their own while receiving support from Oxford House residents.

The Oxford House Model program was created in 1975, and there are currently more than 3,500 Oxford Houses in the United States. Additionally, there are Oxford Houses in Australia, Canada, and Ghana. There are approximately 2,000 Oxford House residents, at any given time, who have served in the military. It is estimated that in 1 year, more than 4,000 veterans will live in an Oxford House. Veterans can be integrated into existing houses or live in houses that are exclusively for veterans.

The inhabitants of the houses facilitate the program, and training is available and optional. Please use details in the Contact section for information on training.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring participant buy-in and commitment as the participant will be expected to remain sober and contribute to expenses and a positive house environment; understanding start-up funding will need to be obtained and could be expensive; retaining on-site technical assistance; and gaining access to the Oxford House website, which includes the materials and resources necessary to implement the program.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing Oxford House Model, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you! Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Implementation times will vary depending upon funding and resources available. There is no time limit for how long a resident can live there while they are abstinent from alcohol and other drugs.

The program requires start-up funding and monthly rental and maintenance/utility costs. Program materials are free on the Oxford House website and include the program manual, evaluation measures, quality assurance tools, and questionnaires.

To move Oxford House Model to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, one to two additional studies must be performed that demonstrate sustained positive outcomes in favor of Oxford House when compared to a control condition lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Oxford House, Inc., by visiting https://www.oxfordhouse.org/contact

https://www.oxfordhouse.org/model