While public perception would indicate that the main reason for homelessness revolves around addiction, the statistics prove that to be false. Falling on the list behind lack of affordable housing, poverty, discrimination, domestic violence, and mental health, addiction may not be the number one cause of homelessness, but there is no denying the connection between the two.
The Intricacies of Addiction and Homelessness
It’s easy to consider addiction to be a simple, black-and-white issue, but the reality is far more complex. An individual does not typically wake up one day and decide to become an addict. A variety of factors, ranging from genetics to lifestyle dynamics to personal decisions, can start someone down the path of addiction. Interestingly, many of the catalysts that can lead to addiction can also lead to homelessness, both separately and concurrently.
When it comes to the environment, growing up or living in a stressful or chaotic atmosphere adds to the risk factors that can lead to addiction. This can begin by mimicking learned behavior or as a means to escape. Living in a low-income area often equates to no or low-paying jobs, a lack of housing, fewer opportunities, and higher crime. One of those components alone could be enough to tip someone over the line, but more often than not, all of these situations come into play at once.
On a more internal note, a lack of mental health resources or affordable healthcare in general can lead to a decision that leads to a more difficult path in life. Untreated mental health issues or unmanaged pain find people medicating themselves in other ways, making obtaining or maintaining a job more difficult
When jobs are scarce, paychecks are low. When paychecks are low, so is morale. When morale is low, choices become invisible. Those who feel like they have no other choices will make decisions based on desperation, and one wrong step can lead down a deep, dark cliff.
Genetics, environmental factors, and untreated medical issues can all segue into addiction, which can throw one’s entire life into chaos. While it’s fair to assume the catalyst for homelessness is the substance of choice that someone can’t quit, it’s really the chain reaction of consequences once their addiction takes over – the lost job, the missed rent, the canceled insurance. Once in it, with few resources and little support by way of available or affordable drug rehabilitation and detox centers, getting out of it won’t be easy.
While there is a percentage of the homeless population that can attribute their current lifestyle to a prior addiction, the truth is that addiction is not even among the top three reasons why most homeless people have ended up where they are. A person with addiction is more likely to be born from their homeless status than the other way around.
Addiction Within The Homeless Population
Many in the homeless population don’t intend to be in their predicament for very long. Once the reality has set in, the stress that comes with going into survival mode can build up. Feelings of helplessness, depression, overwhelm, and so on can lead to a desperation for an escape. Many homeless individuals also have a history of traumatic experiences, mental health struggles, and illness, where illicit drugs or alcohol could be considered self-help. Co-existing with others in poor areas makes it both easier to acquire substances and harder to receive the necessary help to stop. Having an uncontrolled addiction will make taking the steps to get back out of homelessness even more difficult, thus perpetuating a toxic cycle that will remain unchanged until interrupted.
Healing Addiction, Helping Homelessness with Midnight Mission
Fortunately, in many areas, there are organizations ready and waiting to help their homeless community integrate back into everyday life in a way that best suits them. The Midnight Mission is one such organization, dedicated to serving the homeless individuals of Skid Row since 1914.
We believe in a full spectrum approach, offering emergency services to the Los Angeles homeless community, a 12-step recovery program, transitional housing, family counseling, and more. Through an extensive list of homeless services & shelters in Los Angeles services, the Midnight Mission can change lives mentally, physically, emotionally and permanently.
Together, we can work towards a future where everyone has the opportunity to achieve stability and well-being. Learn more and support the cause of The Midnight Mission.