{"id":2038,"date":"2022-08-23T13:51:49","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T13:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/?page_id=2038"},"modified":"2022-08-23T13:51:49","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T13:51:49","slug":"homelessness-and-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/arisetc.com\/homelessness-and-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Homelessness and Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>The Relationship Between Substance Abuse, Addiction, and the Homeless Population<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there were approximately 580,466 people experiencing homelessness in the United States in 2020.<\/p>\n

Many people in the housed population stereotype the unhoused population as people who have severe mental illnesses, are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and are unable to function in society. Although substance abuse can cause homelessness, addiction issues often arise after people lose their housing. As a result, it\u2019s vital to view substance abuse and addiction as illnesses rather than moral failing so that people who are affected by substance abuse and homelessness can have the opportunity to recover.<\/p>\n

When provided with safe, supportive housing, comprehensive treatment, and peer support, people experiencing homelessness and addiction can get their lives back on track.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Understanding Homelessness<\/span><\/h2>\n

The homeless population is diverse, and people find themselves experiencing homelessness for a variety of different reasons. For some people, it is a traumatic event such as a house fire or natural disaster that stripped them of their housing with an inability to afford increasing rental prices or the down payment on a new home. For others, it is lifestyle circumstances, such as being kicked out of their parent\u2019s homes for belonging to the LGBTQ+ community or leaving an abusive relationship.<\/p>\n

Homelessness is not always caused by poor life decisions. It often happens to people through no fault of their own. After all, few people would choose to live on the streets or be unhoused rather than have a roof over their head.<\/p>\n

\"substance<\/p>\n

Some people experience homelessness for short periods of time as they are transitioning from one life situation to another. These individuals often have family members, friends, or access to resources to support them. Others fall into a category known as \u201cchronic homelessness\u201d where they remain unhoused, without adequate support or resources, for many years or even a lifetime.<\/p>\n

Homelessness is one of the most difficult things a person can experience. While unhoused, people not only struggle to secure shelter, food, and water, but they also struggle to stay warm in the winter and cool during the summer. They often face constant scrutiny and misunderstanding from the public, judgment from medical professionals, and violence or unrest between other individuals experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n

The truth is, homelessness can be traumatizing. Many unhoused individuals become the victim of violence, theft, sexual assault, rape, and more. Traumatic events combined with the trauma of being unhoused for periods of time can lead to the development of mental health or addiction issues.<\/p>\n

<\/span>The Connection Between Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Homelessness<\/span><\/h2>\n

While substance abuse, addiction, and mental health problems can lead to homelessness, many unhoused individuals develop mental health issues once they lose access to housing. Then, they turn to drugs or alcohol to numb their feelings of despair and hopelessness or cope with symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and loneliness.<\/p>\n

More than one-third of the homeless population experiences a serious mental illness and more than half experience any mental illness. The most common mental illnesses among the homeless include:<\/p>\n