There are many reasons why people become homeless, but one that really stands out is the link between addiction and homelessness. 

Mental health issues, trauma and a lack of resources are other factors that contribute to addiction and homelessness. 

Aaron Eyjolfson, a Criminal Justice instructor at Lethbridge College, says some people use drugs and alcohol to deal with mental health issues.

“I think there’s clearly some individuals that will self-medicate to deal with mental health issues that go undiagnosed. They feel a certain way or they think a certain way and they want some relief from that.”

Eyjolfson adds that drug and alcohol use probably contributes to some people feeling and thinking the way they do.

There’s a very clear correlation between mental health, addictions and trauma, according to Eyjolfson.

Most people who have a substance use disorder or who end up homeless, have an addiction and mental health issues happening at the same time. 

Addiction affects the way the brain functions. In active addiction, Eyjolfson says the mind tricks the body.

The brain makes a person think there’s nothing more important than the next drink, the next pill, the next fix. The brain will also make the body sick.

Some addicts experience nausea, a fever, shakes and the sensation of bugs under their skin. 

At this point, since nothing is more important than getting intoxicated, an addict ends up not being able to pay for their living expenses. For example, if a person used to make mortgage payments, they may stop doing that and spend their money on drugs and alcohol instead, leaving them with no place to live. 

Eyjolfson states there are some people who are functioning addicts.

“There are some functioning people with substance use disorders that still manage, but I imagine that if you looked at homelessness, you’d see a strong correlation between addiction and homelessness.”

Some reasons why people may choose to live on the streets rather than in a homeless shelter are because of the rules, noise, crowds and drama amongst people and they enjoy the freedom of couch surfing.

Eyjolfson explains being homeless is more than just living on the streets.

“Homelessness isn’t just living on the streets. Homelessness is not having your own bed to go to. So, it could be couch surfing, going from friend to friend to friend to friend with no home base.”

Eyjolfson thinks people find homeless shelters more appealing during the wintertime, when the weather is colder. 

The Home First movement, a national coalition for the homeless, believes before an addiction and mental illness is tackled, a homeless person first must be given a home.

Eyjolfson says just giving a homeless person a house is not enough.

“It’s not enough because some people will give that up for the addiction, but when you combine housing with good supports, other resources that are nonjudgmental and have their best interests at heart, it’s a great first place to be.”

As a community, we need to work on being more empathetic, says Eyjolfson.

“We’re not really good at understanding how a person ends up in that place. We think it’s just a decision to stick a needle in their arm, but there are underlying factors that contribute to putting that needle in their arm or putting that bottle to their mouth. So, I think lack of support or understanding from the general public about the plight of individuals who suffer from substance use disorders and addiction is a huge barrier to success as well.” 

To help fight homelessness and addiction, Eyjolfson suggests bringing back harm reduction strategies like the supervised consumption site, ARCHES, getting more detox beds, more treatment centres, more affordable housing and less stigma attached to struggling addicts. 

Shannon Phillips, the MLA for Lethbridge-West, representing the NDP, also believes there’s a link between homelessness and addiction. She also says the government has an important role in making sure people are housed. 

Since the rent supplement program has ended, there has been massive cuts in other affordable housing initiatives. 

Phillips believes housing programs can help end homelessness.

“This turns out to be cheaper than dealing with people who are not housed because when we do those housing first programs, like we have in Medicine Hat and elsewhere, we know we can significantly reduce homelessness. We can also then put in place the wrap-round services that are needed to keep people housed and address any social, mental health or other physical health issues they may have.”