The Effects Drugs Have on the Homeless
By Thomas Gwynn.
Looking at addiction through the eyes of someone who is living on the streets is different from those that see addiction form a medical point of view. For the person that is living on the streets, they sometimes don’t see what they are doing to their bodies and mental health. In fact it’s hard for them to recognize the physical damage that is going on, on the inside of their body.
When the Addiction becomes detrimental the individual deals with withdrawals that may leave their body in a state of shock, and creates craving for the next fixes. Addiction is only one of the many struggles that people on the street face. Chronic unemployment, persistent physical and mental health problems, and fractured family relationships are usually common among the homeless population, especially those that are addicted to drugs.
The cause of drug abuse and dependence is unknown, although there are a variety of theories. One theory holds that there may be a genetic component that predisposes a person to developing a drug addiction. What this meas is if your mother, or father was addicted to a substance you your self can be addicted as well. Another theory is that drug abuse is a learned behavior and that people begin to use drugs by copying the behavior of those around them.
Medical professionals have not been able to target a specific causes. What has been proven, is that drugs can be used to alter the brain’s structure and chemistry which may reinforce the desire to keep using drugs regardless of the consequence. The image to the right show the effect of drugs on the brain, by reducing the amount of dopamine to the brain.
The fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders (DSM-IV). States that "drug abuse must be present for a minimum of twelve months to meet the diagnosis."
Regardless of the causes that contribute to a person choosing to abuse drugs, the fact is that drug addiction is a disease that needs attention. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines drug addiction as "a chronic disease of brain. It effect the reward, motivation, and memory of the brain. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social, and spiritual manifestations." This means that because the brain is the primary organ impacted by drug use, all brain functions including behavioral regulation and the condition of one's physical health are impacted by excessive exposure to any drug.
Drug addiction as a disease is further evidenced by the necessity for a person who is addicted to receive medical treatment in order to maintain sobriety. Some may argue that addiction can be overcome without medical intervention, therapy, or formal treatment of any kind. Some people believe they can solely rely on their family and friends to help them recover. However, (ASAM) claims that without treatment or participation in recovery activities, addiction will worsen, and may progress to the point of death or disability. This means that drug addiction should be classified as a disease, and those suffering from this disease need to seek professional help to obtain and sustain sobriety, and heal the brain.
Recently, the Salt Lake Tribune published an article on the barriers experienced by the homeless. The authors interviewed over 400 homeless individuals in the Rio Grande area of Salt Lake City. Seventeen percent of those surveyed agreed that their addictions to drugs or alcohol were the primary reason for them to not progress out of homelessness.