According to The National Alliance to End Homelessness (2016), there are 564,708 people suffering homelessness. A prevalent stereotype among this population is the belief that people facing homelessness are drug abusers and alcoholics. However, in reality a high percentage of homeless people do battle with chemical dependency. An imminent concern in addressing this substance use for the homeless population is finding the time, dedication, and funds needed to engage in any treatment options.
Clients who are in and out of shelters or that sleep on the streets as a regular occurrence, are socioeconomically disadvantaged which puts them at great risk for developing chemical dependency. In addition, many of those suffering homelessness, do not …show more content…
Either substance use leads to homelessness or homelessness leads to substance abuse. There is a great number of studies to support both instances. McCormack and colleagues (2015), conducted a study on the alcohol dependent homeless population. They found that two-thirds of the sample were the children of parents who were alcoholics and nearly all of them began drinking as a child. As a result of their dependence, they became homeless as early as 18 years old. In such cases, obtaining alcohol may have taken precedence over paying for housing. Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) become a risk factor as well as an outlet that decreases one’s ability to face life’s …show more content…
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, more than 40% of the homeless population is under the age of 18 (2016). An EBP to prevent chemical dependency within the ages of 12-24 is the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). This intervention has been implemented mainly on the juveniles who come to the drop-in center for homeless youth. Upon evaluating A-CRA, studies found it to be effective in general substance use as well as in mental health treatment. Godley and colleagues used the A-CRA intervention in a 2007 study. Upon completion of the intervention, 64% of the sample continued the use of mental health and substance use treatment. (Godley et al.,
Clients who are in and out of shelters or that sleep on the streets as a regular occurrence, are socioeconomically disadvantaged which puts them at great risk for developing chemical dependency. In addition, many of those suffering homelessness, do not …show more content…
Either substance use leads to homelessness or homelessness leads to substance abuse. There is a great number of studies to support both instances. McCormack and colleagues (2015), conducted a study on the alcohol dependent homeless population. They found that two-thirds of the sample were the children of parents who were alcoholics and nearly all of them began drinking as a child. As a result of their dependence, they became homeless as early as 18 years old. In such cases, obtaining alcohol may have taken precedence over paying for housing. Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) become a risk factor as well as an outlet that decreases one’s ability to face life’s …show more content…
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, more than 40% of the homeless population is under the age of 18 (2016). An EBP to prevent chemical dependency within the ages of 12-24 is the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). This intervention has been implemented mainly on the juveniles who come to the drop-in center for homeless youth. Upon evaluating A-CRA, studies found it to be effective in general substance use as well as in mental health treatment. Godley and colleagues used the A-CRA intervention in a 2007 study. Upon completion of the intervention, 64% of the sample continued the use of mental health and substance use treatment. (Godley et al.,