Addiction Treatment for the Homeless
Addiction and homelessness are two major problems in American society that frequently go hand-in-hand. While the vast majority of people who deal with drug and alcohol addiction do not become homeless, a large percentage of homeless people suffer from a substance abuse problem. Many of them also have a mental illness to contend with in addition, which is known as dual diagnosis.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there are approximately 630,000 homeless people in the United States at any point in time. Nearly 50 percent of those people say they have had a problem with alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and a third has suffered from drug abuse. Almost 25 percent of the homeless in this country have had a severe mental illness.
When asked what things are holding them back most from getting a job, homeless people report mental health problems and physical conditions as the second most important factor. This category includes drug and alcohol addiction. There are many barriers to receiving addiction treatment for homeless people, even when they recognize that they need it. The biggest one is that addiction treatment programs cost money, usually in the thousands of dollars, and the homeless rarely have any form of medical coverage.
A solution to the problem of homelessness and lack of services for drug and alcohol addiction has been popping up in a few locations around the United States. There are centers which strive to provide a variety of services that these individuals need all in one location. These organizations provide some combination of a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, job services, medical care, childcare, and drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs.
A dual diagnosis of mental illness along with alcoholism or drug addiction is very difficult for anyone to deal with, even in the best of circumstances. Comprehensive rehab programs for the homeless are the best chance of getting them back on their feet.
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