Almost all medical problems are first identified by primary care and referred to specialists, but this is not the case with substance abuse disorders, where most individuals first approach specialist substance abuse treatment settings. The Office of National Drug Control Policy is currently considering recommending that primary care settings should identify people with substance abusers in primary care settings in order to refer more patients to detoxification and treatment. If this occurs, there will emerge unique opportunities for psychologists in both screening and referral. Oxford Houses are family homes that groups of recovering individuals rent to live together in an environment supportive of recovery from addiction.
Economic data also were supportive for participants in the Oxford House condition over the course of the two-year study. Oxford House participants earned roughly $550 more per month than participants in the usual care group. Annualizing this difference for the entire Oxford House sample corresponds to approximately $494,000 in additional benefits to those in the Oxford House condition. The lower rate of incarceration (3% versus 9%) in the study among Oxford House versus usual care participants corresponded to annualized savings for the Oxford House sample of roughly $119,000. Together, the productivity and incarceration benefits yield an estimated $613,000 in savings accruing to the Oxford House participants. Limited research, however, is available regarding how Oxford House settings compare to other treatments.
Peers whats an oxford house can relate to each other’s struggles, provide emotional support, and offer insights based on their own experiences, which can be incredibly valuable during challenging times. Oxford Houses play a vital role in the continuum of care for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, providing a proven and effective model for long-term recovery and community reintegration. Sober living homes are instrumental in providing the necessary support and structure for individuals striving to maintain sobriety and rebuild their lives post-addiction treatment. They play a crucial role in the continuum of care by addressing the gap between intensive treatment and full reintegration into society. The first Oxford House was started in 1975 in Silver Springs MD by a group of recovering alcoholics/addicts who were living in a halfway house that was closing down.
This structured approach not only reinforces individual accountability but also cultivates a sense of shared responsibility, essential for sustaining long-term recovery. In Washington State alone, nearly one million dollars were lent to what is Oxford House help start new Oxford House recovery homes. To date, these funds have supported over 1,000 new beds for men and women in recovery. Even some 50 years after its founding, Oxford House still has a profoundly positive effect on providing national addiction treatment options.