Homelessness In America

Introduction We call America, The Land of Opportunity. A phrase used to suggest that this is a place of many possibilities for people to earn a prosperous living. So why is there still a remarkable amount of homeless people living in the United States? Many people are enjoying the greater wealth and higher earnings in todays world. Unemployment rates are reported to be low and many are making profitable investments in today’s society Yet, it is still estimated that there are 3.5 million people in the United States who would fall under the category of homeless each year. (Alter, Stile, Doherty, Greenberg, pg. 3) Homelessness is a major issue and yet many of us don't even realize it. Society often misinterprets the cause of homelessness.

211) Many homeless find themselves using and abusing substances on a daily base. It is believed that about thirty-eight percent of homeless people abuse alcohol, while twenty-six percent regularly use other drugs while living on the streets. (Mallett, Rosenthal, & Keys, pg. 186) These statistics show that substance abuse among this group is significantly higher than the general population. Like discussed earlier, people who are homeless experience high volumes of stress and vulnerability. In my opinion, it is understandable that many will be tempted to turn to substances as a form of self medication. For decades, researchers have been examining the dynamics of homelessness and substance use. While estimates of alcohol and drug use rates among the homeless vary considerably, there is agreement among experts that homeless people have much higher rates of substance use than the general population. At the same time, the number of people without adequate and secure housing among those who experience problems from substance use is high as well. “One fact is clear: homeless individuals with alcohol, drug and mental disorders are among the most underprivileged and vulnerable groups in society. What is still up for debate, however, is whether substance use leads to homelessness, or

For starters, motivation to stop using substances may be poor, not many have the strength to stop using and abusing in those types of situations. For many homeless people, survival is more important than personal growth and development, and finding food and shelter take a higher priority than drug counseling. Many homeless people have also become estranged from their families and friends. Without a social support network, recovering from a substance addiction is very difficult. (Vangeest, J. B., & Johnson, T. P., pg. 457-458) Whether if substance use is the cause or the result of homelessness, it continues to be a never ending cycle for people living within homelessness. Our focus should be on seeking ways of addressing both issues simultaneously. It is critical that we do not let one problem lead to the