Discussion How common is homelessness caued by drug use?

[nigelhernandez]

Do you know anyone who is homeless from using coke, meth, heroin, benzos, alcohol?

 

[Brick In The Wall]

It's fairly common and I've personally seen it happen to a few people. Some of those harder drugs will make you do literally anything for another fix.

I've seen it erode away everything that person has, then eventually the person themself. I definitely wouldn't recommend going down that road.

 

[nigelhernandez]

It's fairly common and I've personally seen it happen to a few people. Some of those harder drugs will make you do literally anything for another fix.

I've seen it erode away everything that person has, then eventually the person themself. I definitely wouldn't recommend going down that road.

Would you mind sharing? I just wanna know what drugs to stay away from entirely

 

[Brick In The Wall]

Would you mind sharing? I just wanna know what drugs to stay away from entirely

Meth, crack, heroine/opiates, benzos, synthetics like bath salt or spice. All very dangerous and highly addictive.

I had a friend lose his marriage, job, and freedom to meth. He was turned into the police by his own brother who's also a meth addict. He did clean himself up when he was released though.

I've lost a few friends to RX pill overdoses. I've seen alcohol destroy my father and other relatives. I have many stories, some are too painful to share. Through all of it I've battled my own addictions as well.

 

[Ren Elsie Jewelria]

Yes I do know people like that, they live in my neighborhood. Got sacked because of alcohol abuse.

 

[DeadButDreaming]

I haven't looked at the statistics, but it seems to me that there is a stronger correlation between mental illness and homelessness than drug use and homelessness. It's odd that the plight of the homeless isn't made a bigger deal of. People who risked their lives for America are sleeping under bridges. That's mightily fucked up.

 

[ravergirl]

I'm a pretty regular crystal meth user, and I'm not homeless. I know other tweakers who still can hold down a job.

 

[nigelhernandez]

I'm a pretty regular crystal meth user, and I'm not homeless. I know other tweakers who still can hold down a job.

Can I ask, do you have a degree?

So why do you think some people think otherwise?

 

[ravergirl]

Can I ask, do you have a degree?

So why do you think some people think otherwise?

I do not have a degree, but I think that has more to do with my mental problems than my drug use.

I think homelessness is a complicated thing. Many homeless people probably turn to drugs. Many people have mental disorders that lead them to both drug use and homelessness. But the idea of the "drug fiend" who can think of nothing but their next high and can't even keep a basic job is played up by the media. There really aren't a lot of people like that.

 

[everydayiloveyou]

My grandma has been homeless for 20+ years, and she is an alcoholic. It's sad. She would really rather be on the streets than live with us, all because we don't let her drink. But i think she has some kind of severe mental illness that worsens her substance abuse. She is very delusional and paranoid even when she's sober, believes that she's being targeted by bad actors, that she needs a metal detector in order to unearth gold, and that we are stealing all of her documents. Unfortunately the doctors she's had have all said she is perfectly competent to make these decisions for herself, even if they aren't in her best interest.

I agree that homelessness is much more complicated than if you're addicted to drugs -> you end up homeless. Different people have different support systems, tolerances, and experiences. People who have supportive families and/or financial support usually don't end up homeless since they have somewhere to go. And there are many homeless people who do not have any substance abuse problems, and instead became homeless because of job loss or mental illness.