How it Works

Any individual recovering from alcohol or drug addictions can apply to get into an Oxford House by filling out an application and being interviewed by an outreach worker. The applicant is then considered by the House membership, and if there is a vacancy, and if 80% of the members approve, the applicant is accepted and moves in.

Insights For The New Member

Oxford House is a missing link in the recovery process. It provides the time and support each of us needs to develop comfortable sobriety.
It works only if the Oxford House system of democratic operations is followed, and the system of financial self-support is strictly followed. Learn the Oxford House Manual and the Nine Oxford House Traditions.
Weekly house meetings are held to ensure the house runs smoothly. This is the time to resolve disputes within the “family,”
and a place to work together to keep recovery at the heart of all house operations.
Pay your share of expenses on time. Put first things first. We put our membership fees first! Otherwise, the house can fail.
Work with each other. A house where all the residents work with each other to gain comfortable sobriety is one that generates worthwhile pride.
Open finances of the house helps to overcome the suspicion we all have early in recovery. The house finances should be discussed at each meeting, and posted openly for everyone to see.
Do your household chores on time!
Don’t isolate. Loneliness and self-pity lead many of us back to drinking or using drugs.
Go to 12-step meetings. Regular attendance is a good habit to develop to make behaviour change comfortable, and to gain comfortable sobriety - forever.
Blow the whistle on any fellow resident who relapses. All residents are at risk if anyone is drinking or using drugs.

House Rules

It is imperative that you have one house meeting per week, and that each house member be in attendance.
There is NO SMOKING in the bedrooms of the houses. If you are caught smoking in your bedroom, you will be evicted immediately. This is a fire regulation, and an agreement we have made with the landlords.
Each house member must attend a minimum of two (2) AA meetings per week.
Each house member must be looking for work, working, attending school or volunteering. No member is to be idle or sitting at home throughout the day.
All membership fees and sobriety deposits must be paid in full two (2) days prior to the 1st of the month. It is the responsibility of the Treasurer of the house to make sure all money is collected. Please Note: If a relapse occurs at any time during the month, no money will be refunded. In order to be refunded your sobriety deposit, you must give written notice to vacate two (2) weeks prior to leaving. Your refund will come 30 days upon vacating the house. You will not be refunded any money if you relapse, or have been asked to leave the house because of disruptive behaviour.
Residents who are away overnight must call the house and let the other house members know why they are absent, and when they will be returning.
Friends or relatives of house members must have the majority of the house approval in order to stay overnight at the house.
The maximum length of stay is two (2) days.
These are just some of the procedures that must be followed in order for the house to be an Oxford House.
Random drug testing by outreach workers.

Please refer to the Oxford House Manual