Introduction We call America, The Land of Opportunity. A phrase used to suggest that this is a place of many possibilities for people to earn a prosperous living. So why is there still an remarkable amount of homeless people living in the United States? Many people are enjoying greater wealth, higher earnings, and profitable investments in today’s society. Unemployment rates are reported to be low, and wages are growing high. Yet, it is still estimated that there are 3.5 million people in the United States who would fall under the category of homeless each year. (Alter, Stile, Doherty, Greenberg, pg. 3) Homelessness is a major issue here in America and yet many don't even realize it. Society often misinterpret the cause of homelessness. Comments
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Addictive disorders tend to disrupt relationships with family and friends and often cause people to lose their jobs. For people who are already struggling to pay their bills, the onset or exacerbation of an addiction may cause them to lose their housing and become homeless. On the other hand, in many situations substance abuse is a result of homelessness rather than a cause. People who are homeless often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations. They use substances in an attempt to attain temporary relief from their problems. In reality this substance addiction only worsen their problem, keeping them on the streets. Clearly, responding to drug and alcohol addiction is an essential part of ending homelessness. One does not need to look far to find connections between behavioral health and risks of homelessness. Substance abuse disorders are commonly found among chronically homeless people and within homeless families. (Kemp, P. A., Neale, J. & Robertson, M., pg. 321-322) Homeless who become addicted to substance use, tend to prioritize differently than others. Drugs and alcohol can consume ones life. Spending all what they can on drugs and alcohol, not worrying about their health or living situations. Substance abuse can ruin many lives and needs to be controlled in and out of the
Addictive disorders tend to disrupt relationships with family and friends and often cause people to lose their jobs. For people who are already struggling to pay their bills, the onset or exacerbation of an addiction may cause them to lose their housing and become homeless. On the other hand, in many situations substance abuse is a result of homelessness rather than a cause. People who are homeless often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations. They use substances in an attempt to attain temporary relief from their problems. In reality this substance addiction only worsen their problem, keeping them on the streets. Clearly, responding to drug and alcohol addiction is an essential part of ending homelessness. One does not need to look far to find connections between behavioral health and risks of homelessness. Substance abuse disorders are commonly found among chronically homeless people and within homeless families. (Kemp, P. A., Neale, J. & Robertson, M., pg. 321-322) Homeless who become addicted to substance use, tend to prioritize differently than others. Drugs and alcohol can consume ones life. Spending all what they can on drugs and alcohol, not worrying about their health or living situations. Substance abuse can ruin many lives and needs to be controlled in and out of the