Success Story

The only 'cure' for alcoholism and drug addiction is behavior change so that the afflicted individual will avoid all use of alcohol and addictive drugs. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Studies show that fewer than 20% of those with substance use disorders who try to stop using and stay stopped succeed. It takes time, peer support, and a safe place to live to get comfortable enough in sobriety to avoid going back to compulsive or addictive use.

Oxford Houses are homes rented by groups of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts to help each other become clean and sober and stay that way. There is no time limit. Everyone must remain clean and sober or be expelled, and together, the recovering residents run the house and pay all household expenses themselves. The nonprofit umbrella organization uses contributions to start new houses and provide the training necessary to keep houses on track.

Less than 5% of funding is used for general and administrative expenses, with all the remaining funds going directly to expanding the number of houses and training the self-help principles of Oxford House residents. More than 9,000 recovering folks each year use Oxford Houses and move out clean and sober. Studies show they stay that way. Individual stories of about 100 residents and alumni are at the website www.oxfordhouse.org under "About Us/Stories." In addition, research studies sponsored by the federal government [NIAAA and NIDA] are available on the same website under "Publications/Evaluations/DePaul."