Recovering from alcoholism in communal-living settings: exploring the characteristics of African American men and women.

African American men (n = 33) and women (n = 32) residing in a self-governed, communal-living aftercare program known as Oxford House were surveyed on socio-demographic, personality, recovery, and setting attribute variables. Women, compared to men, were more likely to report sexual abuse as an adult, be diagnosed with an eating disorder, engage in writing bad checks prior to recovery, and claim a stronger perception that Oxford House provided a structured and safe setting. Men, in contrast to women, were more likely to have engaged in drug sales and residential theft prior to recovery, claim less self-doubt about controlling their future life, and report greater attempts at rebuilding interpersonal relations and working 12-step programs. Men and women did not differ significantly in self-reports of co-dependency. Results indicate that gender specific and culturally sensitive characteristics upon both entry and in the course of recovery should be considered in communal facilities such as Oxford House.