One correlation often associated with the homeless population is drugs or alcohol, some sort of substance abuse. Growing up without understanding them, the stereotype I was shown was that they were bad people and you would steer away from them. Often in the media they’ll be depicted as dangerous, on the side doing drugs or heavily drunk among parks, etc. What needs to be understood is that most of the homeless individuals struggling with substance abuse have some form of a pre-existing mental health condition and were led to drugs or alcohol as a result before their homelessness. This would then lead to their relationships and responsibilities being broken down and those they can rely on leaving them or disregarding them. Homelessness becomes a result of these issues, and due to lack of support they are unable to find or receive proper treatment.
In terms of data, it is estimated that over half of the people living in supportive housing systems suffer from substance abuse disorder. It is found that the elderly will turn to alcohol and the youth towards drugs. These housing solutions aren’t a final means to solving the homeless crisis as these individuals living through the housing systems also require proper address of their issues to get them back on their feet and to a position where they can place themselves back in society. Luckily there are solutions towards that in the form of recovery centers. These centers will help assess and work on improving their problems with substance abuse or their mental health while providing resources for them to utilize and absorb for their reintegration. The issue of course that comes with being homeless is the means to pay for it or access it. In regards to payment, the options include scholarships, public insurance, or free and low income programs of which can be researched for the desirable area. The links below provide additional information and resources for help.
Resources
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