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9/25/26  12:35 am
Commenter: Allen Block, Lake Smith Oxford House

Resident of Oxford has serious objections to proposed legislation
 

I have lived in an Oxford house since May 1st, 2019. I went from living in horrible addict and prostitute saturated hotels, with no hope except that I might soon die to sustained continuous sobriety since April 21st, 2019, in no small; part because of Oxford Houses of Virginia. 

I didn't really think there was any hope but if I could, I would get clean. I heard there was help in a 12 step program and that I could get away from this horrible scene and the people, places and things, by moving to an Oxford House.

 

Turns out it was true. All I had to do was follow the rules, pay my share, and not use or drink , no matter what. But the thing is there were 7 other guys in the house trying to do the same thing as me...strength in numbers. Guess what? It worked!!!

Since moving in to an Oxford house 7.5 years ago, I have obtained a BS in Computer Science and been employed by Sentara in their Cyber Security department through Pinpoint IT , Inc, I meet with my son every week and we get a bite to eat and chat, and I take him to picnics and other outings. I am the Secretary and senior member of my house and have trained members in every position, which I have help, most more than once. I participate in a higher level of leadership as my chapter's Vice Chairperson, which makes me a member of the Virginia OH State Association. I am also the secretary and chairperson of my home group, which means that most Saturday nights at 8 PM I and facilitating our NA meeting, and I also volunteer for various events like helping a house move , or giving rides to meetings as well as some civil volunteerism. 

All this would not have been remotely possible before I moved into Oxford House. Oxford House is different that other recovery houses, and the main difference is self rule. There is something about following rues that we make (within certain parameters) and that we hold each other accountable for that is magical. It seems to go a long way to short circuiting the alcoholic and addict resistance to authority and rules. And when we discover that we can pay our own bills and run our own house and make 8 addicts living under one roof work, holding each other accountable. and most importantly, holding ourselves accountable, without a boss....well it is just transformative. The empowerment of this realization is nothing short of miraculous. The democratically rules aspect of Oxford is what makes us different, independent , and we learn to be self reliant while at the same time working with a team. No bosses can make this happen. We learn this part only when we learn we can do it on our own with a little help and team work. It makes our dream work. This empowerment is nothing short of miraculous in its effectiveness!

And we have the clinical studies to verify that the Oxford House model of self governed recovery is the most effective for of after care in a recovery house environment. We are the corrections system and the therapeutic community's biggest resource. Please do not allow this legislation to go forward as written as it will eliminate our ability to operate under our proven model and effectively shut us down , while the ones the legislation seeks to control will go on abusing the system, and available funding.

Because we are the gold standard in recovery houses and for the above reasons, I would like to ask the following: 

 

1. Change the rules that require paid staff so self-governing houses can follow them.
2. Say clearly whether the members of an Oxford House are considered the "operator," because many of the rules apply to the operator.
3. Stop assuming that every recovery home is a commercial business. Don't require business insurance or State Corporation Commission registration from homes that are unincorporated associations.
 
In summary, what we are doing is really working and I am living proof. I met thousands with the same or similar testimony at the state and world conventions this year. That is only a small sampling. We are in 5 countries and all over the US, but in Virginia we cannot afford to close the proven most effect recovery houses in the state in an effort to control the bad actors who will be allowed to conform and continue, until no one is watching again. We are more effective because our model restores dignity, self respect and confidence, as well as self reliance to the addict or alcoholic that has lost all these things along the way. We also gain a new family in Oxford as well as in our 12 step programs. This combination cannot be beat, which is why we have been able to demonstrate with clinical data that we are the gold standard, with the best rates of reduced involvement with law enforcement and the best numbers for sustained sobriety after 2 years it is in excess of 80 pct. The next closest is 45 pct. A link to that De Paul University study has been included.
 
So please do not allow this legislation too pass in any form that will curtail us from operating in our current model as enumerated above, which would effectively shut us down while the bad actors will get by with minimum compliance while being watched.
 
This is life or death for many addicts and it is imperative that their biggest and best resource available to the corrections and therapeutic community be allowed to continue to do what works, and that is Oxford House.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://dpu-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/c06e6ea12f444f10ab698a2d78b3a94b%3Fv%3D78c56de5&ved=2ahUKEwjrgNe-6IiXAxXnElkFHfb2IrsQFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw39nLZdjj7kE86nkmpbBtGH

CommentID: 241834