Essay On Homeless And Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse Effects On The Homeless Population

Shelby Saltsman

HMS 102

Addiction is one simple word that evokes such deep and immense thoughts and feelings. For some, they know firsthand what it is like to be addicted, while others have seen someone struggle with addiction. Now, not all addictions are bad, and not every addiction has to be a drug addiction. To name a few, social media, gambling, food, and shopping are non-drug-related addictions. However, drug addiction and substance abuse disorders are rapidly growing. Drug addiction is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, and use despite adverse consequences. Many people try drugs

Looking more toward the homeless population, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, a high percentage of homeless people do struggle with substance abuse. Most statistics prove that substance abuse is much more common among homeless people than in the general public population. However, this goes to prove that not all addicts are homeless, and not all homeless are addicts. If this is the case, why is the percentage of homeless people with substance addiction so high? Once again from the National Coalition for the Homeless, it is written that substance abuse often leads to homelessness, addictive disorders disrupt relationships (friends and family), and can cause job loss. For many people struggling to pay their bills, the start or increase of addiction may then cause them to lose their housing. Becoming homeless is not something that someone can ever be fully prepared for, it can come suddenly and without warning, similar to an addiction. According to Michael’s House, the correlation is clear, substance abuse is a major contributing factor for many people becoming and remaining homeless. Addiction can affect different people in different ways, especially depending on the substance being abused. Substance abuse will cause a strain in relationships, and that is where everything really starts to change. The person with the addiction may not see the

For example, the circumstance of doubling up homelessness. A person who has enabled a person with a substance abuse disorder will allow them to stay with them for however long, to keep them from becoming an unsheltered homeless person. Not everyone has a good and solid support system backing them, and on the other hand, some may see enabling as the best way to help someone with an addiction. Doweiko defines codependency as an unhealthy relationship in which a person closely involved with an addict allows the addict to continue the addicted behavior. Codependency is typically more family related but the same example can still be applied here. This being said, according to Michael’s House, people turn to drugs and alcohol in times of stressful life situations. All of these situations can have a connection and still prove that addiction can happen to anyone at any time, much like homelessness can happen to