OBSERVING ORGANIZATIONAL AND INTERACTION BEHAVIORS AMONG MUTUAL-HELP RECOVERY HOME MEMBERS

Abstract

This study explored self-governing processes in a mutual-help recovery setting called Oxford House. Residents from Oxford Houses live in communal, same-sex rented houses without professional staff supervision. The present study analyzed behavioral data observed during business meetings at 29 Northern Illinois Oxford Houses (20 men, 9 women). At these meetings, residents discussed organizational operations and developed or modified rules and regulations for effective day-by-day setting operations. Findings indicated that ecological, house-level factors were significantly related to discussions on issues related to house operations, rather than resident-specific behaviors. The implications of these findings on empowering members in the setting are discussed. RECOVERY HOME MEMBERS Under modern managed care, private and public sector community and inpatient substance abuse facilities have reduced their services significantly. As an *Funding for this project was supported in part by NIAAA (grant number AA12218).