For many years, addiction and homelessness have had a complex relationship - often resulting in cyclical behaviours for many people experiencing it.
We already know that homelessness often ends up rotating in a cycle. Throw in substance addiction on top of that, and it’s easy to see how it can become increasingly challenging to break patterns.
How does the cycle start?
There is no chicken or egg answer to this. For some, substance addiction may cause them to be asked to leave a family home, or they may no longer be able to afford to support themselves. Suddenly they can find themselves experiencing homelessness while also trying to manage addiction.
For others, homelessness comes first and substances provide a source of comfort and escape from incredibly difficult, often volatile situations.
The link with mental health difficulties
Studies suggest that there is a higher prevalence of mental health conditions in the homeless population in the UK. However, homelessness often makes it more challenging to access basic healthcare and prescription medications.
In some cases, some will turn to substances they can find on the street to deal with their ongoing mental health conditions as well as their difficult circumstances. Sadly, this often results in people developing addictions they may have avoided given the right care at the right time.
The rise in synthetic opioids
Where affordability may have been a factor in some people experiencing homelessness avoiding active addiction, the rise of synthetic opioids is turning that around quickly.
These ‘legal highs’ are often more affordable and easy to come by. Designed to mimic the effects of the THC in cannabis, many think these drugs will ‘take the edge off’. Spice was the most commonly found back in 2018. Since then, the situation has escalated tenfold.
In reality, the symptoms are more akin to those of drugs like fentanyl - becoming almost zombie-like and often coming to extremely agitated, distressed or angry.
We’ve come to realise that many of these lab-made synthetic opioids are quite as addictive as substances like heroin - leaving many experiencing distressing and unpredictable symptoms and drastic, sometimes fatal withdrawals as a result.
What can be done?
Solving substance addiction and homelessness unfortunately isn’t as easy as waving a magic wand. The Forward Trust, together with many other organisations are calling for a number of actions to be carried out in this epidemic.
These include:
- Accessible ways to check drugs for synthetic opioids (particularly focusing on making these services available at night and in areas easily reached by the homeless population)
- Accelerating the roll out of naloxone to frontline workers to help triage synthetic opioid overdoses
- Improving access of naloxone for the homeless population
- Improved and ongoing access to drug treatment and recovery support services
If you’re struggling with addiction and experiencing homelessness, you are not alone. Our outreach team are here to support you or your loved one break the cycle of homelessness and addiction for good.
For more information on our outreach work, please contact Simon on the Streets today.
If you need support with drugs or alcohol addiction, there are services available in West Yorkshire who are ready to help you.