Catch-22: Addiction, Disability, & Homelessness
The national statistics revealed that 30% of the homeless population has a mental disability; in some cities, that number is 70%, and over 80% of the chronically homeless experienced drug and/or alcohol dependency (Lurie, et. al., 2015). Nearly all chronically homeless individuals have a disability of some sort, ranging from substance use disorders to physical to mental (Lurie, et. al., 2015). This should be a big enough sign that disability is highly relevant to the issue. Homelessness only exacerbates those disabilities and health conditions, and laws criminalizing homelessness make it harder for them to escape those conditions due to adding a criminal record to the mix. While all homeless individuals face a stigma, the stigmas and discrimination surrounding disabilities and substance use only make matters worse. Leaving out the exploitation and the victimization that often occurs towards those with more severe physical and cognitive disabilities who are unable to advocate for or defend themselves, a lot of shelters specifically bar anybody with substance use issues. If they are not currently “clean” they can not use the shelter, and if they are caught even once with drugs, alcohol, or paraphernalia, it can often result in a lifetime ban from the shelter. While rehab centers are great for that initial detox, people need somewhere to go after, and if one slip-up can result in a lifetime ban, it can be very hard to try getting back on the road to recovery. If they can’t get well enough to recover, it will be very hard for them to get a job and get themselves off the streets.
The catch-22 is that many of these people are self-mediating due to a lack of access to proper healthcare. This could be that they didn’t have enough money for a doctor to get proper pain medication or doctors assumed from the start they were drug seekers and denied them further care. In a desperate attempt for pain relief so they can resume their day-to-day activities, they may turn to illegal drugs or alcohol and end up addicted. Some turn to drugs and alcohol to soothe anxiety and depression or even in an attempt to quiet voices. Many times, people don’t realize there is an issue until it’s too late. All they know is that legal alcohol makes them functional enough to work until they get to the point where they are too far gone to function and need all their money for the only medicine they can get. Others may turn to something stronger like illegal drugs when the legal options stop helping due to the tolerance buildup until they too are completely hooked. Those who recognize it’s an issue and seek mental health services either face exorbitant prices or harsh stigma for being an addict or having mental health issues to begin with, which prevents them from getting proper care as well. It’s a systemic issue, not a personal one. Can they be blamed when they try to seek help but get denied due to lack of funds and also can’t work due to their disability? Can they be blamed when they seek help but are met with such a harsh reception from help staff that they are uncomfortable continuing care? Can they really be blamed when at every turn, the system is against them?
How can one help if the whole world seems to be against them? Start by examining your biases. Look beyond what you think you know. Look past the stigmas of the homeless and the addicts and find the people beneath. Then remember that a little compassion can go a long way. A friendly gesture versus harsh glares could be the difference between that person making it to the next day. Your compassion could give them the motivation to fight for one more day, and that day could lead to them receiving the help they need. Whether it's through passing them on the street or through volunteering, treating homeless people with compassion and understanding will go a long way. Lastly, speak up. Correct others when they dehumanize homeless individuals or addicts by reminding them they are people too.
Resources:
Oxford House: A shelter for those in recovery from substance abuse. They have some male, some female, and some for those with children: https://www.oxfordhouse.org/
ODHS: Provides housing assistance to those with severe disabilities https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/aging-disability-services/pages/general-assistance-program.aspx
National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics: Free clinic search tool: https://nafcclinics.org/find-clinic/
Lurie, K., Schuster, B., & Rankin, S. (2015). Discrimination at the margins: The intersectionality of homelessness & other marginalized groups. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2602532
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