Alcohol Addiction And Homelessness

Statistics On Homelessness And Alcoholism

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports there are 582,000 homeless people on any given night in America, with 16% having a substance use disorder (SUD).

When compared to adults with housing, homeless adults are more likely to be dependent on alcohol, especially among women and young adults between 12 and 24. Alcohol addiction is a significant cause of homelessness, but it is often accompanied by co-occurring mental health disorders or other SUDs.

Demographics Of Homelessness And Addiction

Homelessness refers to a person or family without a fixed, regular residence. Instead, they often live in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or locations not intended as living spaces.

The 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress showcases the alarming statistics regarding the homeless population in America. Researchers found:

• 76% are adults 25 and older
• 17% are children under 18
• 7% are between 18 and 24
• 61% are men or boys, and 28% are women or girls
• 7% are veterans
• 28% are families with children under 18

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows the following additional demographics from people experiencing homelessness:

• 291,395 are Caucasian
• 217,366 are African American
• 140,200 are Hispanic
• 73,723 are American Indian, Native Alaskan, Hawaiian, or multiple races
• 33,129 are veterans

Alcohol is the most frequently reported substance of misuse among the majority of homeless populations. When compared to adults with stable housing, adults 25 and older experiencing homelessness are eight times more likely to become dependent on alcohol, with up to 63% developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD). In addition, 89% of youth under 18 report misusing alcohol, particularly youth in the LGBTQ+ community.

The Correlation Between Addiction And Homelessness

Addiction to alcohol or drugs can lead to someone experiencing homelessness, and homelessness can be a reason someone misuses substances. Addiction can be a cause for one person and a consequence for another. Many other factors play a role in the correlation between alcohol addiction and homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports over 95,000 people experiencing homelessness also have chronic substance abuse. Even more are severely mentally ill, while others are dealing with HIV/AIDS or other physical health complications.

Causes And Risk Factors For Alcoholism In Homeless Populations

Each person experiencing homelessness has a different set of causes and risk factors.

Personal history, including relationships with family and friends, positive and negative events, development of coping skills, substance misuse, and living environments contribute to both homelessness and addiction.

However, there are common risk factors of alcoholism among those without stable housing, including:

• Being a victim of domestic violence
• Having HIV/AIDS
• Having a severe mental illness
• Being a veteran

While being a veteran is a risk factor for alcoholism among homeless populations, there are additional risk factors for veterans. A U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs report claims veterans experience homelessness for the following reasons:

• Childhood trauma or abuse
• Psychiatric disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Post-traumatic stress
• Low levels of social support
• Unemployment
• Physical health issues
• Financial issues

Homeless youth between the ages of 13 and 24 are more susceptible to negative influences that lead to drinking alcohol, which may be one reason at least 66% of homeless youth use alcohol or drugs. Risk factors that make it more likely for youth to misuse alcohol include:

• Emotional distress
• Delinquency and peer pressure
• Sensation seeking
• Childhood trauma
• Parental alcohol use
• Exposure to violence
• Street victimization

The amount of time a child or young adult is experiencing homelessness can contribute to the development of an AUD. The longer someone is on the street correlates with the likelihood of misusing substances.

Alcoholism In The Homeless Population And Co-Occurring Disorders

Co-occurring disorders refer to someone having a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, which is prevalent among people experiencing homelessness. Some people misuse alcohol to help them cope with their physical or mental health symptoms, a form of self-medication. For others, the misuse of alcohol leads to adverse mental health symptoms they would not have had they not drank alcohol to excess.

Mental health disorders that often accompany substance use disorders include the following:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Major depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Seeking treatment for co-occurring disorders is most beneficial when undergone simultaneously. Otherwise, the disorder, left untreated, can become a relapse trigger for the other. For example, having a panic attack without treating anxiety may trigger someone to drink alcohol again to cope with their symptoms. Another example is a person with chronic pain who consumes alcohol to relieve the pain but develops depression.

It is crucial to treat all conditions to ensure the whole person is healthy and can avoid relapse. Fortunately, a person experiencing alcohol addiction and homelessness can receive simultaneous treatment to overcome co-occurring disorders.

Paying For Treatment When Homeless

The cost of treatment should never be a reason to avoid seeking help for alcoholism. Governments and most treatment providers recognize that only some have insurance or can afford treatment. They have created financial assistance programs to enable people to seek help, including sliding-scale fees, scholarships and grants, and government funding. Below are some resources to discover more about financial assistance:

• Apply for medical assistance at healthcare.gov.
• Locate your state’s agencies that aid in substance abuse treatment using SAMHSA’s locator.
• Apply for Social Security Insurance or Disability online or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
• Find your local Veteran’s Administration office by searching online or by calling (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838).

Whether you are homeless with shelter or without shelter, you can receive alcoholism treatment. Reaching out for help is the first step to getting the inpatient or outpatient treatment you deserve.

Treatment Options For Those Who Are Homeless

Comprehensive programs exist for people experiencing homelessness. Integrated services are highly effective, primarily when a person is motivated to get better and willing to commit to their treatment plan. Many treatment options are available for those with insurance and those without insurance.

Examples of treatment options for those who are homeless include the following.

Inpatient Detox

Medically supervised detox is often necessary for someone who may experience extreme alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Someone with a history of alcohol addiction and homelessness can benefit from 24/7 treatment using medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. When complete, they can transition to an inpatient program.

Inpatient Hospitalization

Someone in inpatient hospitalization can continue their medication assistance treatment for withdrawal symptoms while also participating in individual and group therapies to learn emotional support and coping skills for avoiding relapse.

Residential Recovery Homes

Residential recovery homes are structured living environments outside of a hospital. Residents maintain the residence while attending daily meetings, classes, and other treatment plan activities. The home is often overseen by a peer recovery coach or support leader who has experienced and recovered from addiction themselves. Typically, other treatment staff live in the recovery home to show support and ensure guidelines are followed.

While residential homes give a person experiencing homelessness a place to stay, it is not a long-term solution. Finding housing is one part of the aftercare plan.

Peer-Managed Recovery Homes

A peer-managed recovery home has less structure than a residential recovery home but is perfect for someone eager to remain sober. It is also a good place for someone with some housing stability or who will have it when they complete the program. Peer-managed recovery homes do not offer on-site therapy or activities.

Residents can attend individual and group programs as needed. These homes complement housing programs specific to the homeless population. For example, someone living in a housing program residence who decides to quit drinking alcohol can temporarily move to a peer-managed recovery home, which is sober living.

A crucial factor in mental health and substance abuse treatment for those experiencing homelessness is case management to help someone meet all their needs, such as housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and follow-up care with mental health and medical providers. Community resources can help someone avoid relapsing and becoming homeless again.

How To Help A Homeless Person Struggling With Alcoholism

Connecting a person with the right resources is the best way to help overcome alcohol addiction and homelessness. They may not be aware that community providers can help meet their needs. They may fear the costs of services, but many state-funded addiction treatment programs can help them with an alcohol use disorder.

If you know someone struggling with homelessness and addiction or find yourself struggling with alcohol misuse, contact a treatment provider today. They can answer your rehab-related questions and assist you in taking the first steps toward recovery.