Addressing substance use and providing appropriate support and treatment is crucial to improving the well-being and outcomes of this population 3. These programs vary in their specific models and offerings but share the common goal of providing comprehensive care to address both mental health and substance abuse concerns. By receiving funding from the government, these programs can offer treatment options that may otherwise be financially out of reach for homeless individuals. Once individuals with substance use issues become homeless, they face additional hardships in obtaining housing, healthcare, substance abuse treatment services, and recovery supports. The lack of access to essential services hinders their ability to secure housing and effectively address their substance use problems.

Veterans and first responders often experience traumatic events that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This increases their risk for substance use as they may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. The Gooden Center is licensed by the state of California to deliver mental health and substance use disorder residential treatment.

Substance Use and Homelessness Correlation

The LGBTQ community also experiences higher rates of serious mental illness, such as depression and anxiety, which can co-occur with substance use disorders and increase the risk of homelessness. Living on the streets is a highly stressful situation, especially not knowing when your next meal or decent sleep will come. Using drugs to cope with stress can lead to addiction, and addiction will only heighten stress in the long run. The National Coalition for the Homeless states that some people abuse drugs and alcohol to be accepted by the homeless community.

The Role of Holistic Therapies in Addiction Recovery

• The third reported cause of people’s homelessness was family issues, which encompassed events like death of a family member, divorce, or abuse.
• If you are struggling with homelessness and addiction, or know someone who is, there are resources available that can help.
• Community outreach programs and emergency shelters also play a crucial role in connecting homeless individuals with the necessary resources and support needed to overcome alcohol or drug abuse.
• The average homebuyer, Jones said, is no longer in their 20s, but in their late 30s, and because of economic pressures, many of them are delaying having children until later in life when compared with previous generations.
• Data indicates that roughly 38% of homeless people are dependent on alcohol, and 26% abuse other drugs, making drug-related health issues a pressing concern.

Homeless individuals suffering difficult mental and emotional conditions may find it convenient to self-medicate with harmful substances as well, strengthening the link between homelessness and substance abuse. While it may seem that difficult mental conditions can be suppressed by drug and alcohol use, this actually creates a destructive cycle of dependency. Moreover, homeless youth are more likely to have co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

A panel of experts attempted to dispel these persistent myths about homelessness to an audience of 200 people during a recent Key to Home event in Oklahoma City’s northeast side. Copyright © 2025, AddictionHelp.com The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion. The SAMHSA website allows you to search for government-funded or free treatment centers offering detox, inpatient, and outpatient treatment. While some children, teens, and young adults are homeless because the rest of their family is homeless, many more become homeless for other reasons. Kids become homeless mainly because of family problems, economic problems, and abductions.

More than 770,000 people in the U.S. were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, an 18% increase from 2023, according to a report from the U.S. Though no single factor resolves homelessness, stable employment greatly increases the odds of sustaining recovery and housing over the long term. Even when addiction treatment is available, engaging people who are homeless can be challenging. Over the past five years, the cost of a single-family home has gone up an average of $2,000 a year, pricing those homes out of the market for various demographics, Jones said. The current price point for a house in Oklahoma City is between $200,000 and $300,000, data shows, but one-third of the city’s population can’t qualify for a loan. The average homebuyer, Jones said, is no longer in their 20s, but in their late 30s, and because of economic pressures, many of them are delaying having children until later in life when compared with previous generations.

Additionally, stigma and discrimination surrounding both homelessness and addiction often deter individuals from seeking help or result in substandard care when they do. While barriers including money, resources, and knowledge of help are strong, getting help is still an option. Friends and family members can help a loved one move into residential care and then into a halfway or sober home, where they can recover in security. Individuals with no friends or family can often look how many homeless are addicted to drugs to government programs, which differ by state, for free help – although this often does not include temporary housing.

Being unsheltered is linked to low health care use—despite significant need

About 42% of all participants said they began using drugs regularly before they became homeless for the first time, and 23% said they began using drugs regularly after becoming homeless for the first time. People who suffer from homelessness often lack the resources necessary to seek treatment for mental or physical health problems or substance abuse. This perspective considers how overlapping social identities—such as race, gender, and sexual orientation—interact with systemic inequalities like racism and discrimination.

The role of art therapy in addiction recovery

A survey conducted by the United States Conference of Mayors found that substance abuse was reported as the largest cause of homelessness among single adults in 68% of cities surveyed. Inpatient rehabilitation provides a structured and supportive environment where individuals can focus exclusively on recovery. These programs typically include 24/7 medical care, individual and group therapy sessions, and holistic activities designed to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Few programs aimed at the homeless include treatment for substance abuse, so those who work with these populations must get creative with their approach to treating individuals. These include systemic poverty, economic inequality, and lack of affordable housing, which increase vulnerability to both homelessness and substance abuse. Disparities in access to healthcare, education, and social services mean that many individuals do not receive the support needed to break free from these issues. Barriers to treatment, such as lack of insurance, restricted access to healthcare, and social stigma, hinder efforts to help those affected. Many homeless persons turn to substances to cope with trauma, mental health issues, and the stresses of street life, perpetuating a cycle that is hard to break.

• While economic distress results in homelessness, it’s also a leading cause of substance abuse and use disorder.
• The study highlights the need for improved access to substance use treatment and housing solutions.
• Recognizing the geographic nuances helps inform tailored policy interventions – what works in a large coastal city might not translate seamlessly to rural Appalachia.
• By addressing both the immediate needs and underlying factors contributing to substance use, we can work towards improving the well-being and prospects of this vulnerable population.

According to a demographic survey that was done as part of the UCI Cost Study, there were three top reasons why people became homeless. The top two causes were finding a job that paid a sustainable wage, and finding housing that’s affordable. The third reported cause of people’s homelessness was family issues, which encompassed events like death of a family member, divorce, or abuse. The findings from this study correlate with similar studies across the nation in finding that these are the top causes of people’s homelessness.

How Samba Recovery Addresses Cultural Sensitivity in Treatment

Contact our admissions navigators at to learn more about the different types of addiction treatment available at our inpatient rehab in New England. They can also discuss different ways to cover the cost of treatment — and provide additional resources to get you or your loved one the care you deserve. Living on the street or in precarious housing can also make someone susceptible to turning to drugs or alcohol to cope with the stress or self-medicate a health problem.

Chronically unsheltered adults are also more likely to have a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use than those who aren’t chronically unsheltered. For example, unsheltered women in Los Angeles with recent substance use had much greater odds of poor mental health than sheltered women. Schizophrenia and mood disorders, including major depression, are common diagnoses among unsheltered populations, according to studies from Brazil, Ethiopia, Ireland, Japan, and the United States.

The report uses data from the 2023 California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH), which is a representative study of homeless adults conducted by BHHI. Most experts agree that multiple intervention attempts may be required for lasting success. Nevertheless, evidence shows that well-funded, integrated programs lead to striking improvements in both housing stability and sobriety. Housing First demonstrates that the requirement of sobriety before housing can be counterproductive, and that lasting stability often starts with a safe place to live. «We say that we want to be a ‘big league city,’ but being a ‘big league city’ means we have big-league problems,» Jones said. «It means that we have to cater to a housing market that meets the needs of all folks.»