Robert Nelson had been sober for nearly a decade before complications associated with an old injury began causing him unbearable pain.

He’d broken his back several years prior, and the painful flare-ups prompted him to turn to heroin as a fairly easy-to-obtain “cheap pain medicine.”

He used for about two years before seeking treatment. By that point, Nelson said, his life was in shambles.

He went through about five stints in treatment facilities before moving into Island County’s first and only Oxford House.

Oxford Houses are democratically run and self-supporting homes free of drugs or alcohol, established under the national nonprofit organization, Oxford House, Inc.

There are approximately 2,000 houses nationwide, according to the organization’s website.

The house was established in March, the culmination of efforts put forth by Island County representatives like Joanne Pelant, who strove to fill the gap in sobriety rehabilitation services within the county.

The next closest house is located in Mount Vernon. The Island County house was incorporated into the Mount Vernon chapter.

“It’s been a godsend,” Nelson said of the house.

There’s a zero tolerance policy at the house for any alcoholic or narcotic substances or substance abuse. If someone is under the influence, they’ll be ordered to leave the premises and given 24 hours or so to collect their belongings.

Just a few weeks ago, a resident was evicted after being arrested for a DUI.

It’s a difficult, but necessary, method of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of fellow residents, Nelson said.

Generally, the number of residents ranges from six to 15.

There are currently seven men residing in the Oak Harbor house, which has a capacity of eight.

Oxford Houses are for men and women, and women with children, though men and women are not permitted to live in the same house.

Betsy Niemann, who until this week served as the Island County chemical dependency treatment coordinator, said that, generally, Oxford House, Inc. establishes two men’s houses first to measure the success, or lack thereof, before establishing a women’s or women with children’s house in a certain area.

Nelson, who has lived in the house since July, is a testament to the house’s success. He now serves as house president, presiding over meetings and ensuring each member is respectful.

He also interviews new, prospective residents.

The house is much different from other facilities he’s stayed in, and in many ways he said these differences have allowed him to thrive.

Members are permitted to be independent, though there are rules that must be adhered to and mandatory meetings to attend. The residents also hold one another accountable and support one another, Nelson said.

According to a study conducted by researchers at DePaul University that followed 897 residents in 219 Oxford Houses across the country for 27 months, researchers found that only 13 percent relapsed.

Another study followed 150 individuals exiting primary treatment who were divided into two groups of 75 each. One group of individuals moved into Oxford Houses while the other group resumed “normal living situations.”

“It’s basically an answer to prayer,” Nelson said. “Going to treatment is like handing the wheel to Jesus.”

“Thank God for Oxford House is all I can say,” he added.

Niemann’s replacement has not yet been named.

Men interested in applying for a room in the Oak Harbor Oxford House can call the house at 360-246-4101.