Addictions in Alberta

One in five adults in Alberta are directly affected by addictions. This includes alcohol, gambling, illicit drugs, prescription drugs and a variety of other substances and behaviours. Each year, approximately 16,000 Albertans seek treatment for their addiction issues.

To meet the needs of individuals with addictions, services need to be long-term, holistic, affordable, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and promote positive social networks that model and reinforce a sober lifestyle.

Peer support is a critical component in Oxford House. Peers provide each other with social and emotional support, accountability, mentorship and role models for recovery. Increased levels of house harmony and mutual aid have been found in Oxford Houses that have members with greater age differences and income levels.

In 2022, 430 men and women moved into an Oxford House recovery home. And 114 of them moved out of Oxford House clean, sober and better equipped to live independent and financially sustainable lives. Another 119 individuals remained sober in residence.

Goal Statement

Individuals recovering from addiction have long-term sobriety and skills for self-sufficiency to successfully re-integrate into the community.

Oxford House is designed to address the needs of adult men and women who:

• Need a sober living environment to continue their recovery from addiction
• Have received residential treatment in the past year or are on a waiting list for treatment
• May be homeless or at risk of homelessness
• May have a history of involvement with the criminal justice system
• May have a history of trauma and/or childhood abuse
• Are prepared to re-integrate back into society
• Are Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal

This goal is accomplished through the following objectives:

• Provision of a safe and supportive home environment
• Promoting a sober social network
• Facilitating peer support within the house
• Supporting members to learn life skills for self-sufficiency
• Reconnecting members to Aboriginal cultural and spiritual identity
• Supporting members to increase their coping skills and self-efficacy to abstain from substance abuse

Men and women in recovery from addictions can apply for sober housing at https://www.oxfordhouse.ca/sober-living-albertaograms/

Oxford House Foundation 220-221 62 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2H 0R5