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 that provides the network connecting all Oxford Houses and allocates resources to duplicate the Oxford House concept where needs arise.
The first Oxford House was established in 1975 in Silver Spring, Maryland. From the beginning, the group rejected ownership of any property and continues to rent – not purchase – single-family houses in good neighborhoods to establish new Oxford Houses. Between 1975 and 1988, eighteen Houses were established by and for recovering individuals. The principles of replication and guidelines for running a group home for recovering alcoholics and substance abusers embodied in the Oxford House Manual had become institutionalized in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area and in 1987 a house for ten men was rented in Bethlehem, PA.
Watch the Presentation Moriah Cunningham gave at a recent RIG Meeting. https://youtu.be/gT2z6YcyI_E