Residential Recovery Homes/Oxford Houses

Abstract

Over 10,000 people live in recovery homes called Oxford Houses throughout the USA. Among these approximately 1,400 abstinent living environments, residents are provided an unlimited period of time to gain fellowship and support for becoming productive members of society. The evolution of 17 year collaboration between this Oxford House organization and a research team at DePaul University is described. In addition, economic issues are explored including the finding that this recovery community appears to have both low costs and high benefits. Issues involving the sustainability of the Oxford Houses are also presented. The chapter also reviews gender roles and women's specific issues to highlight how Oxford Houses have the potential to be empowering. Finally, comorbid psychiatric conditions are reviewed in the context of how Oxford Houses can promote not only abstinence among this group, but also improved psychological functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)