Substance abuse and homelessness are very clearly related because if you are homeless there are high chances of substance abuse and vice versa. Addiction to drugs or alcohol often leads to homeless conditions and forces you to live on the streets without any contact with your loved ones. Homeless people with mental disorders also lead to addiction. Suffering from mental problems causes people to self-harm by starting using drugs thus further deepening the relationship between homelessness and substance abuse.

Causes of homelessness and substance abuse

Homeless women suffering from discrimination based on gender lead them to substance abuse. There is a high percentage of women using substance abuse rather than men because of women going through domestic violence and sexual assault and escape resulting to become homeless. The children who ran away from their houses and got addicted to drugs or alcoholism, the reason for the escape or homelessness can be family abuse, growing up without a family, or genetics of substance abuse. LGBTQ community often suffer from homelessness which results in their use of drugs to relieve some of their pain and loneliness.

Consequences of homelessness and substance abuse

Poor home conditions, lack of sleep, lacking health care are the general consequences of substance use. Pope deals with depression and does not get professional help. Suicides are taking place because of becoming homeless and getting addicted. Several mental health problems arise from substance abuse. Homeless people don’t even get one proper meal in a day which severely affects their health. The homeless situation also leads people to give up or cut down.

Conclusion

Substance abuse and homelessness can be avoided by taking several measures. Government should help the homeless people and shelter them and help the ones who are getting abused in their homes and provide them with suitable living conditions. People excessively using drugs and alcohol should be tested and treated resulting in their recovery which will bring a huge difference in homelessness and substance abuse. Harsh lifestyle leads people to psychiatric conditions and they become addicted.