Home for people recovering from addiction re-established in Cape Girardeau

After disbanding in 2007, a home for people recovering from alcohol and drug addictions has been re-established in Cape Girardeau.

First set up in the city in 1990, the Oxford House is part of a national network of self-run and self-supporting recovery homes. Not affiliated with a recovery program or government agency, the Oxford House is run democratically by members living in the homes.

Cindy Miller, a counselor at the Gibson Recovery Center, refers clients to the Oxford House. She said the return of the home to Cape Girardeau is needed for those recovering from alcohol or drug abuse. Other transitional centers such as Mending Hearts Recovery and Vision House exist, though they are specifically for women.

"It's awesome to know the Oxford House is back and we have another place to send our clients for structured living," Miller said. "This helps them to be more responsible people and be involved in recovery support in a home environment."

The idea of the Oxford House was developed by recovering alcoholic J. Paul Molloy. He believed placing a recovering addict back into society would cause a relapse.

In 1975, Molloy and five other recovering alcohol and drug abusers rented a home together and supported one another as they tried to return to society. That first home was called the Oxford House, and today the organization has more than 1,200 homes in the United States. Missouri has 47 homes for men, 12 for women and one for veterans.

Missouri Oxford House director Jacquie Lockett said a study Oxford House conducted last year found that 86 percent of former members were sober two years later.

"That shows how the stability and support they received in the house paid off," Lockett said. "Oxford House lets them know they're not alone, that someone else understands me and that there are people just like me going through the same things I've gone through. They get in there and realize they aren't alone and can get their life back together."

Five men live in one of the homes and two women live in the other house. Each home, the locations of which are not made public, can accommodate up to seven people.

A person is admitted into the house if there is a vacancy and 80 percent of its members approve after reviewing the application.

Each member is required to attend Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at least twice a week and a weekly business meeting in the house. Members pay $75 rent each week, which covers everything but food, and must complete chores in the home. House parent Amy Ledbetter said this teaches members responsibilities such as balancing a checkbook, managing a home and how to live in a sober environment. If a majority of the members think an individual has reverted to alcohol or drug use, the person is expelled.

Homes are initially funded by a $4,000 state grant, which provides the first month's rent, turns on the utilities, pays the security deposit and provides twin-sized beds. Once members save enough money in a group account they repay $170 a month 24 times. Lockett said that money is then used to start another Oxford House.

Amy Ledbetter and her husband, Steve, first became familiar with Oxford House after their daughter, Ashley, had lived in an Oxford House for seven months in downtown St. Louis. Amy Ledbetter knew Cape Girardeau no longer had an Oxford House and wanted to bring it back to the community because she thought the need existed here. A fire destroyed the home in May 2002, forcing it to relocate. It closed in the summer of 2007 because of a lack of assistance from people and groups in Cape Girardeau.

With help from various people and organizations in the community such as Lynwood Baptist Church and Midwest Health Care, the Ledbetters re-established the Oxford House in May.

Ledbetter said she provides encouragement and serves as a mediator in times of turmoil.

"One day at a time is what it's all about," Ledbetter said. "Steve and I are that support for these men and women. Many of them have lost everything and we're there for them to help them stick together."

For more information on the Oxford House, call 837-7708.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

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Pertinent addresses:

Cape Girardeau, MO