Homeless Research Paper

​Homelessness and substance abuse are often two problems that continue to be linked together. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (2011), research conducted in the past five years indicates that about 50% of those who are homeless have co-occurring substance abuse problems. Along with co-occurring substance abuse problems, there continues to be other problems such as treatment access to those who are homeless. In this paper we will explore research on the homeless population in relation to substance abuse, and effective interventions on an individual level.

The widespread of the crack cocaine in the 1980 also increased homelessness. Many individuals suffering from homelessness also suffer from many different type of drug addictions. It is estimated that 40 % of homeless people are dependent on alcohol and 25% on other drugs. Alcoholism is increasingly being recognized as the most pervasive health problem for homeless. In addition homeless alcohol dependent individuals have a higher prevalence of other psychiatric disorders and more impaired in their social and vocational functioning. Alcoholism and the behaviors coupled with it have a huge influence on physical health. Majority of studies conducted on homelessness and drugs

Alcohol and drug usage was ranked second on the reasons for homelessness. Physical and medical healths were the primary cause of

The issue of homelessness has been called as one that is "highly ambiguous and intangible" (Neale, 1997, p.7). Wright defines the homeless a "diverse, heterogeneous lot. No single catch phrase or easy myth can possibly describe them all" (p.46)

Researcher Didenki and Pankratz identified in the year of 2007, that alcohol abuse is more prevalent in the older generations while drug usage is more common in the young ones on the street. Substance abuse could be a reason behind someone’s homelessness. People spend lots of money to obtain this high that they receive from drugs or alcohol. This could be a problem some lose their jobs. Some already have a hard time paying their bills and this creates more problems. Alcohol and drug addiction ruins family and friend relationships. Research shows that if it is not a cause to their homelessness it is often an affect. When people suffer from hardships they often turn to other things to get that temporary high. It is like an escape from their problems. This unfortunately suffers ties and makes it harder for a person to find jobs. Addictions are very difficult to quit, making it a reason why individuals end up on the street for a long time. (Substance abuse and homelessness. (2009, July

As you can see, half of all homeless people counted suffer from substance abuse or are severely mentally ill,

A homeless street rascal ソーピー in order to avoid the cold winter, he would do some small crime every year, such as eat in a restaurant without paying, or steal some worthless things. He hope police arrested him than ソーピー can enter the island prison which place he can have a comfortable winter. This year, he find a noble restaurant, but when he entered the restaurant, he drive out by the waiter immediately. Later, he tried other criminal, but all his activity failed. While he was disheartened occasion, he heard church song. The mind purification song make Soapy determined to rebuild his life, and find a legitimate work. At this moment a fat policeman caught up to him, later ソーピー was sentenced on charges of loitering, imprisonment in prison

Burt , “Homelessness: Definitions and Counts;” addresses the difficulty of assigning specific definitions, and statistics to the homeless. Although there is some consensus on some core concepts, there are many disagreements with regards to youth who live on their own, children in foster care or being doubled up, single mothers who live with different relatives and other more vague categories which remain to be clearly defined. She draws a line between those considered to be “literally homeless” and “at imminent risk” of becoming literally homeless. According to Burt, components of the homeless and at-risk population are people sleeping in places “not meant for human habitation,” people in shelters or institutions and those “doubled up.” Defining the problem of homelessness is crucial in policy decisions by demonstrating the size of these two aforementioned groups and allowing for targeted programs which allow the at-risk population to transition into stable, conventional

According to homelessresourcenetwork.org substance abuse is the second highest reason for why people become homeless. 14% of people become homeless due to drug or alcohol use. That's 70 - 98,000 people out of the 500 - 700,000 that the article discussed. Drug use has much bigger impact on society than just homelessness. By using, buying, or selling drugs a person is contributing to the multi-billion dollar illegal business, known as, drug trafficking. Addiction is like a cold; it is contagious. If a high school student sees his/her parent doing drugs they might think its okay and start doing it. Sooner or later they will have their friends doing it, possibly siblings. Drugs can lead to kids dropping out of school and possibly even joining gangs.

The image of an intoxicated older man sleeping under a bridge or asking for change remains the most pervasive stereotype of a homeless person. Exaggerations such as these, provide a basis for a level of discrimination and prejudice that prevent people from seeing the individual. This limits opportunities for change and in turn, keeps the group in the bottom class of society often described as the underclass.

Nonetheless, I have come across people that have been homeless. Is not only sad and disheartened, yet depressing. Said individual, evicted from his apartment along with his family due to his outrageous behavior in and around his apartment complex after being intoxicated. Such behavior affected his marriage, as well as the life of his son. After parting their separate ways, not only did his addiction cost him his job, but also his family. Nonetheless, a friend was nice enough to accommodate him, with the intention of helping him restructure his life. However, all did not go has planned, because of his addiction. According to the article, homeless people is more likely to be substance user “A considerable amount of published research on the health status and conditions of homeless persons also shows that they have a broad range of mental health and substance use needs”

Individuals with addictive disorders disrupt relationships and trust with family, friends, job or everyday life. In order to cope with their harsh reality, turning to alcohol or drugs temporarily provides a short but dangerous relief. In reality, however, substance dependence only exacerbates their problems, increase health issues, and decreases their ability to achieve employment stability and get off the streets (National Coalition for the Homelessness, 2009). Common health issues affecting homeless people are substance use disorders, wound infections, and mental disorders.

It’s crazy how one person can make such a huge impact on your life. Giving a homeless person money, can help you realise how fortunate you truly are. Adopting an animal can help be less selfless. Even the simple act of letting somebody past the walls you’ve built so high, can do wonders for yourself. But nobody tells you that losing the only person you could connect with on more than just a physical level feels like dying. So i’ve learned to keep the wall built high, and feeling that mental connection maybe isn’t that great after everyone will tell you that it will hurt, and they will tell you that it’s lonely but they don’t tell you it feels like something crawled it’s way into your chest and tore your heart out. That inside your head, you’re

As you can see, half of all homeless people counted suffer from substance abuse or are severely mentally ill,

One of the main reason that homelessness can happen is normal people and homeless people relationships. Relationships in homeless people can be different on how we act with the people around us. As Gurley wrote, “We are not one paycheck away from homelessness – we are, instead, one relationship away from homelessness.” As this writer explains that we as simply human beings sometimes scared of being near homeless people just because of their smell and how they are addicted to drugs. The second reason is homeless people’s health. Drugs can greatly have an impact on one’s health because it can cause either death or mental illnesses if they are addicted to them. Homeless people did not care anymore whether they want to die or live. They could think that their lives is not important anymore since they have been abandoned, no jobs, and nowhere to live at. National Coalition for the Homeless wrote, “Without