Research on relationship between homelessness and substance abuse problems among individuals can contribute to the body of knowledge pertaining to possible effects of substance abuse problems. Various institutions (e. g. Homeless Programs Branch, Center for Mental Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, etc. ) have started initiating programs and administering treatment, housing plans, and support services in order to prevent risks of homelessness population.
This research shall provide validated information on how substance abuse can contribute to homelessness situations. Research Limitations The research is limited to the gathering of demographical data, reviews of previous literature and the analysis of possible relationship between drug abuse and homelessness. The research is limited in answering the research questions and statement of the problem at the end of the study.
Definition of Terms 1.Homelessness – a state wherein and individual lacks appropriate and physical place to live in regardless of quality or existing setting/s/ (Levison, 2004 p. 8). 2. Substance Abuse – a behavioral and psychological state when one suffers extensive insatiable craving over a certain substance (e. g. alcohol, drugs, etc. ). Homelessness and Substance Abuse in the Past During the last few decades, social concerns on homelessness have shifted on drug addiction (e. g. cracked cocaine, marijuana, etc.) and alcohol abuse problems as the significant interlinking components that lead to homeless conditions.
According to the study of Wright, Rubin and Devine (1998), most homeless individuals have been suffering an extensive case of substance abuse or dependence as well as psychiatric deficiency (p. 24). Alcohol and drug abuse problems are the most commonly considered causes of homelessness; however, there are few studies that prove the possible relationships between drug abuse problems and the occurrence of homelessness.
In addition by Wright, Rubin and Devine (1998), problems with drug dependence or abuse other than alcoholic substances are significantly most predominant among younger homeless individuals, such as those in their early 20s than adults (p. 25). Since the early 1980s, homeless individuals have shown significant rates of mentally ill and substance abusive portions in both males and females. According to Miller (2004), drinking problems have accounted to 29 to 55% among homeless individuals, while 20 to 30% have histories of illegal drug dependencies and abuse (p. 62).
Various stereotypes have been utilized by sociologists in order to derive possible contributing components to explain the relationship between drug dependence and homelessness situations. Skid Row bum is probably the most commonly considered stereotype of homelessness situations (Argeriou and Mccarthy 2000 p. 34). According to Edgar and Doherty (2001), the common belief in the society in terms of gender variations state that males are the ones who usually become homeless due to drug dependence and abuse (p. 183). Gender Variations in Homelessness and Substance Abuse
In terms of gender variations, a common notion that men are the most prone to substance abuse, which therefore make them more vulnerable to homeless situations than women, has existed as a formally established stereotype. However, according to Edgar and Doherty (2001), one fifth of homeless individuals according to the 2000 census are females (p. 186). From the sociological analysis, homelessness is usually triggered by emotional stresses from relational conflicts, such as divorce or cohabitation break-up. Meanwhile, some women or couples become homeless due to their anti-social behaviors.
Reasons for the cause of homelessness can be exhaustive; however, homelessness, especially for women, is a usual consequence of a long hard process during which the women have gradually lost their hold on life. The emotional impact of the situation as well as the pressure of events trigger psychological disruption on the part of the abused and eventually initiate a search for diversion of attention, which usually end up with substance use. Meanwhile, Hunter (1993) has pointed out domestic violence as one of the usual causes of women’s homelessness, especially the mothers (p. 87).
As supported by Hunter (1993), a common situational origin of homelessness with relationship to substance abuse is parental substance abuse. According to her statement, substance abuse is identified by Brooklyn Health Action Committee in New York as the single most predominant factor that causes the homeless situations of many children in the United States. Parental drug abuse is considered as an underlying factor of child abuse and neglect, which eventually incapacitate these mothers from caring their young; hence, transferring the custody to the social services (Bochard 2005, p. 73).
In addition by Edgar and Doherty (2001), according to some qualitative studies and interviews conducted with service providers, most homeless women have their children but have been separated from them due to alcohol and substance abuse issues (p. 187). According to Wright, Rubin and Devine (1998), alcoholic and drug dependent homeless individuals have become more predominant than domiciled population (p. 25). In addition by Miller (2004), there is an existing relationship between drug abuse problems and homeless conditions (p. 62).
As portrayed by the previous situational analysis, substance abuse and dependencies occur after the incident of homelessness. Wright, Rubin and Devine (1998) mentions that a study (Joegel and Burnham 1987) in Los Angeles has illustrated a quarter of alcoholics that begun the habit of drinking right after the incident of homeless episodes. Meanwhile, the stereotype against men’s higher involvements on substance abuse than females is also considered a possibility of higher portion of homelessness among males.
As supported by Levison (2004), there are substantial evidences that alcohol and drug abuse contribute to the homeless situations among males. The rate of alcohol abuse has been estimated to be 58 to 68 percent among homeless men, while 30% among homeless single women (p. 8). On the other hand, patterns of drug abuse contrast sharply with those of alcohol abuse. According to Wright (1999), the rate of drug abuse is higher among homeless men than homeless women, while alcohol abuse is reported in significant numbers for male individuals from ages 16 to 19.
Unfortunately, the statistical data show that drug problem is most pronounced for homeless men in their teens and late twenties (p. 101). Despite of the statistical data obtained, Levinson (2004) states that the rates of substance between homeless males and females may vary depending on various components, such as age, ethnicity, family background, etc (p. 8). The gender variations on homeless conditions and statistical incidences of drug dependencies and abuse also vary depending on various factors mentioned above.
According to Iber (2003), Baltimore survey in 2000 has shown that 42% of homeless men and 49% of homeless women are positive to major mental deficits, such as schizophrenia and major depression illnesses (p. 129). Various theories have been proposed in order to explain this causation, and one of these is the substance abuse proposition. From the survey obtained, 75% of homeless men are substance abusers with 68% utilizing alcohol, while 38% of homeless women are also identified as substance abusers with 38% alcoholics (Iber 2003, p. 129). From the given recent analysis, men are predominantly involved to substance abuse than with females.
Therefore, comparing the two genders, males have the higher possibilities of ending in homeless situations than females. Substance abuse and homelessness have always been considered reciprocally related wherein the exposure of an individual to homelessness can trigger substance abuse or vice versa. In this study, various data suggest that drug dependencies occur right after the events of homelessness. Meanwhile, some arguments also consider the emotional uprising triggering substance dependency, which eventually incapacitates the individual from maintaining the obligations of living.
Emotional trauma, psychological stress and various internal threats have been considered as the primary components that reciprocate homelessness and substance abuse. Meanwhile, males are pointed as the primary substance abusers possessing higher cases of homelessness.
References
Argeriou, M. , & McCarty, D. (2000). Treating Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Among Homeless Men and Women. Haworth Press. Bochard, K. (2005). The Word on the Street: Homeless Men in Las Vegas. University of Nevada Press. Conrad, K. J. , Matters, M. D. , & Hanrahan, P. (1999). Homelessness Prevention in Treatment of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness. Haworth Press.