Did Addiction Come First?

There is a common misconception that drug addiction and alcohol abuse lead to homelessness. However, studies have found that in many cases, it is actually the other way around. Homelessness often precedes addiction, and substance abuse can be a powerful coping mechanism. It is crucial to understand the complexities of addiction and homelessness to help individuals overcome these challenges and find a new life on the other side.

When someone becomes homeless, they face a multitude of challenges, such as finding a safe place to sleep, obtaining food, access to healthcare, isolation, and despair. Facing hardships can lead to substance use for anyone, especially for people dealing with the extreme challenges of homelessness.  

Addiction can also destroy relationships and support networks, making it even more difficult to get back on your feet. The road to sobriety can be a very complicated process, and individuals experiencing homelessness face additional challenges in obtaining access to treatment like not having state identification, insurance, transportation, or even a cell phone. These barriers could negatively impact anyone’s ability to believe that change is possible.

Helping individuals overcome addiction is part of our outreach strategy. We frequently clear the path for our guests to enter rehabilitation and detox treatment facilities. Over the last two years, we have been privileged to join the Opioid Response Team in Paterson, New Jersey. This is a collaboration of specially trained law enforcement, medical first responders, as well as outreach and peer support professionals from different nonprofit organizations. Two times per week, our staff goes directly to people who are struggling with addiction and offers them evidence-based treatment methods, with the goal of reducing opioid overdoses and saving lives. Last year, we were able to get 40 people the specific help they needed. 

Homelessness and addiction are complex issues that require empathy and support. Can I be overly transparent for a second? After listening to hundreds of stories about trauma, tragedy, and temptation, I cannot say with 100% certainty that I definitely would not turn to drugs or alcohol if I went through what our guests at City Relief experience on a regular basis. Together, we can change our thinking about homelessness and addiction by seeing ourselves in the people all around us who are suffering. 

Please consider supporting our work by giving or volunteering because every person we meet matters to God and should ultimately matter to us. 

With gratitude,

Josiah Haken