An examination of main and interactive effects of substance abuse recovery housing on multiple indicators of adjustment.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of community-based supports in promoting abstinence from substance use and related problems.


METHODS
Individuals (n = 150) discharged from residential substance abuse treatment facilities were assigned randomly to either an Oxford House recovery home or usual after-care condition and then interviewed every 6 months for a 24-month period.


METHODS
Oxford Houses are democratic, self-run recovery homes.


METHODS
Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the effect of predictive variables on wave trajectories of substance use, employment, self-regulation and recent criminal charges. Regressions first examined whether predictor variables modeled wave trajectories by condition (Oxford House versus usual after-care), psychiatric comorbidity, age and interactions.


RESULTS
At the 24-month follow-up, there was less substance abuse for residents living in Oxford Houses for 6 or more months (15.6%), compared both to participants with less than 6 months (45.7%) or to participants assigned to the usual after-care condition (64.8%). Results also indicated that older residents and younger members living in a house for 6 or more months experienced better outcomes in terms of substance use, employment and self-regulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxford Houses, a type of self-governed recovery setting, appear to stabilize many individuals who have substance abuse histories.
Jason
Leonard A
LA
Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. ljason@depaul.edu
Olson
Bradley D
BD
Ferrari
Joseph R
JR
Majer
John M
JM
Alvarez
Josefina
J
Stout
Jane
J
D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016352:Group Homes; D006208:Halfway Houses; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012114:Residential Treatment; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome