Tuesday, March 12, 2024

What Percentage Of Homeless Are Drug Addicts

Get Help For Drug Addiction

Homelessness : Statistics on Homeless People With Substance Abuse Issues

Most people reading this have a home, no matter how humble or simple. Losing that home is a dreadful prospect. However, alcoholics and drug addicts seldom consider this when theyre in the middle of a binge, or their addiction gets the best of them. It may be up to family members and friends to conduct an intervention or encourage someone they love to get help before its too late.

12 Keys Rehab offers an approach to drug addiction and recovery that treats the individual, rather than the disease. As seen among those treating homelessness and addiction, each person is unique and requires a customized approach to recovery. 12 Keys Rehab believes that this personalized approach to recovery offers hope for those suffering from addiction.

The staff at 12 Keys Rehab includes professionals experienced in addiction and recovery treatment and support. These caring counselors, therapists and others offer guidance and compassion throughout your stay at 12 Keys Rehab. Our approach includes mind, body, spiritual and family components that provide a holistic framework for recovery.

Homelessness in the United States is an epidemic. So too is drug and alcohol addiction. Together, these two problems combine into a lethal situation that leads to deeper problems. Help someone you love stop their addiction before its too late. Contact 12 Keys Rehab to speak with an admissions counselor 24/7.

Homelessness And Substance Abuse: Women

Homeless women suffer unique gender-based trauma, contributing to the higher amounts of drug use in homeless women as compared to men. While 30% of homeless people overall suffer mental illness, the rate is significantly higher in populations of women. 50% to 60% of homeless women suffer mental and emotional disturbances, with these phenomena often pre-dating their homelessness. These disturbances often become more severe when combined with homelessness and substance abuse.

Many homeless women become homeless after experiencing domestic violence or sexual trauma some are victims who have escaped sex trafficking. These factors, along with co-occurring disorders from homelessness, have contributed to the fact that approximately one-third of homeless women have abused Heroin and Crack Cocaine.

Scroll to Find Your Insurance

Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance.

How Can Addicts Avoid Homelessness

  • Stay employed
  • Obtain support from family and friends
  • Reassess the life
  • Set new goals

It takes determination, courage, and willpower to overcome substance abuse, unemployment, and homelessness. Failures are inevitable along the way, but drug rehab for someone living in a dumpster is not an impossible dream.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Get Rid Of An Addiction

Mental Health Issues And Homelessness

It is estimated that about two-thirds of the perpetual homeless have a primary substance use disorder or other chronic health condition, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In addition, roughly 30% of people experiencing chronic homelessness have a serious mental illness.

Altogether, such physical and mental health issues may create difficulties in accessing and maintaining stable, affordable, and appropriate housing for an individual, or an entire family.4

Shifts in American public policy over the last few decades may account for the high number of mentally ill people living on the street. A trend is underway of releasing mentally ill patients as quickly as possible in order to free up hospital beds. While dumping patients out of psychiatric hospital beds saves the health care system money, it actually increases taxpayer cost overall by shifting care to more expensive jails and prisons. Theres also the question of whats morally right.7

How Addiction Leads To Homelessness

The Homeless Are Dying In Record Numbers On The Streets Of ...

Substance abuse is often the cause of homelessness.

Addiction can rupture relationships, lead to termination of employment and cause people to lose a handle on their finances. Subsequently, they may fail to pay their rent or mortgage and lose their homes. With nowhere else to go and nobody with whom to communicate, their options are limited.

Enter, homelessness.

The studies speak for themselves. In 2015, the United States Conference of Mayors, a nonpartisan organization for cities with populations exceeding 30,000 people, asked 22 cities to investigate and determine their top three causes for homelessness.

Thirty-five percent of unaccompanied adults cited substance abuse as a main cause of their homelessness. Ten percent of homeless families cited drugs or alcohol.

A life on the streets rarely cures a drug habit. The need to seek help for addiction is routinely put on the backburner for other priorities, such as finding shelter and food.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted To Percocet

Homelessness & Cycles Of Drug Addiction And Alcoholism

Whl th USCM ttt r brng, th d nt dtrt frm the ft tht m people turn t drug rult f thr hmln. Whtvr rtulr rn tutn m b, the u f hmln r uull vr and nlud mntl lln nd dmt vln.Stud hv hwn tht u t 25% f homeless people l uffr frm mental illness, wth mental and hlgl ndtn rnkng the #3 rn wh people l thr lvlhd and the vr hltr vr thr hd.Unfrtuntl, mental illness, and hmln rnt t the bttm f the hl for mrt f these issues. In rdr t wth th and thr difficulties, mn people wh bm homeless turn t drug r alcohol t k rlf and qukl bm ddtd.The drug addiction and lhlm lftl ld b mt f the homeless mmunt l mn tht n rdr t ft n, substance abuse vrtull xtd. And bu thr lv r n uh dlrbl ndtn t bgn wth, thr gnrll n mtvtn t qut ung n homeless rn trt.

Skid Rows 4324 Mi Thousands Of People Ripe For Substance Abuse And Addiction

Skid Row as a central hub for public and social services sees thousands of homeless individuals pass through each year. Many of these individuals experience some kind of addiction to an illicit substance or struggle with a mental illness.

Christopher Rufo, the contributing editor for City Journal, describes in his article titled The Moral Crisis of Skid Row his estimate that the sales of meth, heroin, and cocaine on Skid Row add up to a $200 million annual enterprise, fueling a massive black market in everything from stolen bicycle parts to human organs.

The interviewee in Rufos article, LAPD member Sergeant Pete Kouvelis, explains that Skid Row is divided into sections based on gangs. Gangs with a piece of territory in Skid Row have a vested interest in getting and keeping people hooked on substances. Street gangs here control the market for substances like meth, heroin, cigarettes, and even stolen property and prostitution.

For those looking to continue their addiction or make money off other peoples addictions, Skid Row is an ideal market. Over time, this area has become the epicenter for Los Angeles addiction crisis as well as becoming the poster child for Californias struggle to crack down on the drug trade and improve the homeless populations quality of life and opportunities.

The drug trade and market in this area of town offers a wide variety of substances. Homeless persons on Skid Row can be addicted to an assortment of substances or a mix of drugs.

Also Check: What Is Drug Addiction Definition

Homelessness And Addiction In Seattle: Exploring The Connection

Seattle is no stranger to the rapid growth of drug and alcohol addiction. Seattle is also no stranger the growing homelessness problem, as King County has the third largest homeless population in the entire United States. Both issues are plaguing the Seattle community and there are common bonds between the two.

There is not one united cause of homelessness those who are homeless become so for a variety of reasons and for varying lengths of time. Some are born into a homeless life and never have access to means by which to escape their environment. Others can come from financial stability and have circumstances arise that change everything.

The cost of living in Seattle is 80 percent higher than the national average, making it difficult for anyone who experiences a loss of job or disability to maintain rent and mortgage payments. Loss of a loved one can mean less income entering the household, which can quickly lead to a life on the street. Misappropriation of funds, being victims of scams, or overindulgent spending can also contribute to someone losing a home.

Tragically, far too often, an addiction to drugs and alcohol is either the cause or result of homelessness.

Homeless Veterans Alcoholism And Co

Homelessness and Addiction

C-urrng drdr, mental drdr tht r rnt lngd lhlm, n the homeless population r drtl rltd t alcohol and drug bu. Blr drdr, hzhrn, nxt, nd drn n the homeless population r ll lnkd t drug and alcohol abuse.A rrtd 202,297 people wh wr homeless hd -urrng drdr.1 n 4 homeless wmn hv mental illness. 47 rnt f homeless wmn mt the tndrd for mr drv disorder, whh mr thn tw the munt f wmn n the gnrl population.Hml vtrn rrtd hgh numbr f PTSD du t xrn n mbt. For homeless vtrn, f whm mr r mn thn wmn, lk f housing and fml urt n ddtnll rt flng f hln, whh n u mn t furthr rl nt lhlm.

Recommended Reading: What To Do About Drug Addiction Family Members

Types Of Treatment For Men

Treatment for drug addiction is highly individual in nature, and there are some gender-specific considerations that may enhance recovery. Men may fear the loss of employment or the negative perception of addiction treatment in the workplace. As a result, they may consider the option of outpatient treatment that can be scheduled around job and family commitments.

Detox services are often helpful if the individual has been abusing large amounts of drugs for a long time and may be chemically dependent on them. Medications may be a part of addiction or co-occurring mental illness treatment as well as behavioral methods.

Group and individual therapy and counseling is an integral part of both outpatient and residential treatment models. Since some men may be less willing to open up about their emotions, a support group of similar peers can be helpful in encouraging that kind of communication, which is supportive of recovery.

Behavioral therapy methods for men may focus on developing new methods for coping with anger and aggression, as well as finding healthier outlets to blow off steam and increase pleasure naturally. Risk-taking behaviors can be addressed and managed as well. Family therapy and counseling can help to rebuild interpersonal relationships and improve communication skills necessary for a healthy home environment.

What Percent Of Homelessness People Have A Substance Abuse Problem

Approximately 37% of homeless people report that they are alcohol abusers or alcoholics and 27% report that they are drug abusers or drug addicts. These statistics show a link between homelessness and substance abuse. Statistically, substance abuse appears to be more prevalent amongst the homeless then in the general population. It may appear that the primary cause of homelessness is drug and/or alcohol abuse, but this is not necessary true in all cases. When determining the cause for homelessness and substance abuse, one must also take into account other important factors. Each case of homelessness and substance abuse must be examined from an individual perspective. One must look at the individuals history, experiences and external factors that may have contributed to the homelessness and substance abuse.

Also Check: How To Help Someone Recovering From Addiction

How Drug Addiction Causes Homelessness

Do homeless people use drugs? Short answer: yes. However, people dont necessarily become homeless just because of their addiction to drugs. Negative stereotypes surrounding homelessness suggest that someones poor habit of substance abuse is responsible for him losing his home. That is not entirely true. The fact is that homelessness is a murky state of life with a range of factors. It is a fluid condition, with many people constantly moving in and out of homelessness throughout their lives.

However, for the most part, drug abuse accompanies homelessness. According to the National Coalition of Homelessness, drug addiction can be both a cause of homelessness and a result. That is to say, one man might lose his home because of his addiction to cocaine. Another might get into heroin injections after losing his home and being on the streets for a while.

If drug and substance abuse become dominant in someones life, that individual could end up destroying their work, health, and relationships. This would inadvertently result in that person losing their home. On the flip side, losing their home could trigger substance abuse and alcoholism. The person might rely on the numbing effects of drugs and alcohol to cope with the difficulties of homeless life.

Thus, a correlation exists between substance abuse and people becoming/remaining homeless.

The Connection Between Homelessness And Addiction

Drug Addiction and Homelessness: A National Epidemic ...

In 2017, there were approximately 554,000 homeless people in the United States. The US homeless population is increasing yearly, particularly in younger age ranges. Tragically, homelessness and substance abuse go hand in hand. The end result of homelessness is often substance abuse, and substance abuse can also contribute to homelessness. The National Coalition for the Homeless has found that 38% of homeless people are alcohol dependent, and 26% are dependent on other harmful chemicals.

Oftentimes, addiction is a result of homelessness. The difficult conditions of living on the street, having to find food, struggling with ill health, and being constantly away from loved ones create a highly stressful state of being. Individuals suffering from homelessness may additionally develop psychiatric conditions in response to a harsh lifestyle often characterized by feeling threatened by violence, starvation, and a lack of shelter and love.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Off Sugar Addiction

Increased Demand For Charitys Detox Service Causes Waiting Times To Almost Double

Fifty-four per cent of all people in Dublin Simon emergency accommodation in 2020 have been homeless for over three years. Photograph: Laura Hutton

Your Web Browser may be out of date. If you are using Internet Explorer 9, 10 or 11 our Audio player will not work properly. For a better experience use , Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

More than 70 per cent of the Dublin Simon Communitys detox clients last year cited addiction and substance abuse as the primary reason for becoming homeless.

The increase in demand for the charitys detox service caused waiting times to almost double from 29 days in 2018 to 76 days in 2020.

The organisations annual review 2020, which was published on Thursday, said the average age of clients in residential detox services has dropped from 49 to 44 over the last five years.

Fifty-four per cent of all people in Dublin Simon emergency accommodation in 2020 have been homeless for over three years, with 42 per cent for more than five years.

Dublin Simon Community provided services to 7,617 people in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan last year.

Sam McGuinness, chief executive, said the homeless population is living through the worst crisis we could ever have imagined.

Many of these people spend five years or more in emergency accommodation and are desperate to exit homelessness.

Counselling

Risk

What Are We Doing About It

In rdr t ddr th u, the United States Cngr d th Amrn Rvr and Rnvtmnt At wth 1.5 blln dllr rrtn for the rvntn f hmln and t dvl housing lutn for urrnt homeless people. 4 r ltr the rult f th gmnt f the ARRA rfrrd t th Hmln Prvntn and Rd R-Hung Prgrm rvn, wrrnt ru nvtgtn.Ardng t th national health care department, the Hmln Prvntn and Rd R-Hung Prgrm rtn f the ARRA rultd n vrtull n hng n rgrd t the numbr f homeless people n the United States and the fundng for th rgrm w xhutd b 2012.At th tg ndrbl ffrt mut b md n rdr t nd the rltnh btwn the homeless and drug addiction ung 3 rngd ttk:

  • Homeless rvntn rgrm

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Addicted To Adhd Medication

Does Substance Abuse Cause Homelessness

Substance abuse can be both the cause and the result of homelessness

Substance abuse can play a significant role in homelessness by making it difficult to perform well at a job. Job loss and chronic unemployment make it difficult to pay for housing, which can lead to eviction or foreclosure and eventually to homelessness. Addiction can exacerbate already existing financial problems and lead to loss of housing, as well.7

However, the National Coalition for the Homeless emphasizes that substance abuse can be both the cause and the result of homelessness, and that many people begin abusing alcohol or drugs after losing their homes in an attempt to cope with their situation. Unless substance abuse is treated, homeless persons are unlikely to regain the security or financial stability that can lead them out of poverty. 6

Having a substance use disorder can make it exceedingly difficult to for homeless people to find housing. Some housing assistance programs require that residents pass drug tests or enter and complete drug treatment before they can qualify for housing.8

Reasons For Californias High Rate Of Drug Addiction And Homelessness

Commuters Concerned About Homeless Population Using Drugs At NYC Train Stations

Several factors have contributed to Californias high rate of drug addiction and homelessness. Two of the more pressing factors include:

  • Poverty & Unemployment. Nearly two-thirds of the 6.3 million K-12 students in California are economically disadvantaged. This rate of poverty directly affects the number of homeless students in California. Job loss as a result of COVID-19 has increased poverty and unemployment in the state, putting students at risk of homelessness and making stressed adults more likely to turn to addictive substances like drugs and alcohol for temporary stress relief.
  • Mental illness. Mental illness can lead to addiction challenges and homelessness. Unfortunately, the rate of depression among teens in California has steadily increased. More than half of California adolescents who experienced major depressive episodes did not receive treatment, making them more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication. Not being able to keep jobs, struggling with low incomes, withdrawing from family and friends, and grappling with destructive, delusional, and harmful thoughts can also put people with mental illness at a greater risk of experiencing homelessness.

Don’t Miss: What Am I Addicted To

- Advertisement -spot_img
Popular Articles
Related news