Oxford House Waupaca and Oxford House Vita Nova, both in Waupaca, can both house up to six men.
Oxford House Royalton, also in Waupaca, can house up to six women.
Oxford House is a democratically run, self-supporting drug-free recovery residence. It is a place where anyone can become comfortable with sobriety to support long-term success. Serious about recovery? This is the place to be!
House Members come from treatment centers, drug courts, jail or prison, and homeless shelters. Sometimes as an adjunct therapy, it is best for an individual to not return home during early recovery. Oxford House offers a low cost, safe and sober environment. Individuals living in a House are expected to participate in a recovery program in the community during their residence.
Basic House Rules: 1.) Houses operate democratically, electing house officers who serve six-month terms. 2.) Houses are financially self-supporting. 3.) Any House Member who relapses must be immediately expelled.
How to Refer: Counselors are encouraged to refer individuals directly to the Oxford House of their choice. If there are vacancies, an interview is scheduled or a referral is made to another local House. Getting a workable match between an individual and an Oxford House is important, as residents who are disruptive or who are not serious about recovery can cause serious problems. Questions to consider: 1.) Is the individual willing and able to live in a shared-housing arrangement? 2.) Has the individual shown cooperative behavior in an in-patient setting?
3.) Does the individual have a recovery plan?
4.) Can the individual manage that plan?
5) Does the individual have a means for financial support?
The Waupaca Story
The Waupaca Community Health Action Team (CHAT) has been addressing needs regarding opioid and other addictions. Grant monies were awarded to develop a continuum of care by supporting the start-up of self-pay, peer run, peer managed recovery residences. The houses are part of the 29 Oxford House network in the State of Wisconsin.
Questions and Answers
Q: Who manages an Oxford House? Oxford Houses are democratically self-run by the residents who elect officers to serve for terms of six months. In this respect, they are similar to a Housing Cooperative. However, if a majority of residents believe that any member has relapsed into using alcohol or drugs, that person is immediately expelled. There are no resident counselors or managers in an Oxford House.
Q. Why is Oxford House self-run?
Oxford Houses are self-run because (1) this permits individuals in recovery to learn responsibility, and (2) the cost associated with self-run housing permits extensive replication of houses. Each House is fully responsible for its own expenses and debts which will not and cannot be assumed by the National or State Organizations of Oxford Houses.
Q: How can one get into an Oxford House? Any recovering alcoholic or drug addict can apply to get into any Oxford House by filling out an application and being interviewed by the existing members of the House. The application is then considered by the membership of the House. If there is a vacancy and if 80% of the members approve, the applicant is accepted and moves in.
Q: How much sobriety or clean time is needed before an individual can be accepted into an Oxford House? Usually, an individual comes into an Oxford House after a rehabilitation program, a detoxification program or after evaluating individual circumstances.
Q: Do Oxford Houses work for those participating in a drug court program or getting out of jail? Yes. Oxford Houses have a working relationship with drug courts and correctional treatment programs. Living in an Oxford House provides the time, peer support and self-confidence to assure long-term sobriety without relapse. However, Oxford House does not report back to the court, and is not available to testify on anyone’s behalf.
Q.Is an Oxford House appropriate for those with a Dual Diagnosis? Yes. However, Oxford Houses do not have counselors or therapists. Members must manage their own medications without abusing them.
Q: What is the ideal number of individuals to make a self-run, self-supporting recovery house work? Experience of Oxford House has shown that 6 to 10 members work very well. A house with fewer than six individuals is difficult to maintain because of the small size of the group and the fact that any vacancy causes a greater disruption of the financial welfare of the house.
Q. Does Oxford House serve Veterans?
Yes. Many Vets use Oxford House as part of their recovery program as a way to integrate into society in a safe, sober living environment.
Q. How much does it cost to live in an Oxford House?
Members split house rent and expenses, which average about $100 per person, per week. A modest sober deposit is also required. Weekly rent includes cable TV, internet, laundry, and a fully furnished house. Members provide their own food, towels and bedding.
Q. What if I relapse at an Oxford House?
You will be immediately expelled if members find you have used drugs or alcohol in or outside the House. The welfare of other members is too important to allow anyone who relapses to stay. You may reapply to Oxford House after 30 days of continuous sobriety.
Q. How long can I stay? There is no maximum limit. Members can stay as long as it takes for you to become comfortable with sobriety. The average stay is a little less than a year, but many residents stay one, two or more years. There is no pressure on anyone in good standing to leave.
Q. Can I be on Medical Assisted Treatment while at an Oxford Hose? Yes. Each person is interviewed by the house members who consider all of the circumstances when determining the suitability of an applicant.
From our Members
"I left treatment in the fall, and was an isolation drinker, going into the winter living alone may not have been a good thing. I looked at recovery living and felt that Oxford would be the best choice for me. Our house is self-run, democratic and supportive of recovery because we are all in recovery together. There is always someone you can talk to in the house for support and I now have been clean and sober for 3 years.”----
Joe, current member
“After being discharged from a program after a year, I knew living alone wasn’t going to be an option, I tried it, and it was an immediate fail. I arrived at Oxford House just knowing I needed something different and at that point it was life or death. It was the best decision I ever made. I have never felt more safe, secure, and at home. I am surrounded by an entire community that I have never been more grateful to be a part of.” ----
PVC, current member
“Shortly after graduating inpatient treatment, I began to consider sober living houses. I was drawn to Oxford Houses in the Madison area because residents truly live the Oxford House traditions. Living in an Oxford House means sharing needs, participating in outings together, and attending 12 step programs together; it’s like a sisterhood based on sobriety. I’m growing as a person living in an Oxford House.”----Christine, current member
