Alcohol and drugs

Many homeless people also have problems which are related to alcohol and drug misuse. In some cases, this actually contributes to their homelessness and difficulties with finding accommodation. Whilst there are community alcohol and drug services, not all are accessible to homeless people or geared to their needs. Policy Briefing: Drugs and Alcohol, includes information on supported housing and treatment services.

Homeless people with complex drug and/or alcohol problems face particular difficulties in finding accommodation or help and support to meet their needs. Many hostels are reluctant to accept homeless people with drug or alcohol problems. Those with Dual Diagnosis who also experience mental health problems have particularly severe difficulties in finding somewhere to stay or appropriate support services.

Historically, most services have been developed based on a therapeutic approach involving detox and abstinence. In recent years, some homelessness organisations have developed day and residential services (such as wet hostels), using a harm minimisation model that recognises that some individuals will continue to drink or take drugs.

The national drugs strategy Tackling Drugs Changing Lives aims to reduce the harm that drugs cause society. The government's drugs website includes a wealth of information on drugs. The harm caused by alcohol misuse is addressed in a separate strategy. The Department of Health website includes the government's latest alcohol strategy, along with a range of other alcohol-related reports and statistics.
 

Titlesort icon Author Publisher Year
A qualitative study of the role of emergency hostels in supporting homeless drug users Dr Caral Stevenson and Prof Jo Neale 2011
A Response to 'The Homelessness Journeys of Homeless People with Complex Needs in Stoke-on-Trent' Brighter Futures Brighter Futures 2010
Aiming Higher: A Good Practice Guide Revolving Doors Agency Revolving Doors Agency 2010
Alcohol Concern Current Awareness Bulletin Alcohol Concern Alcohol Concern
Alcohol Concern Website Alcohol Concern Alcohol Concern
Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England Cabinet Office Cabinet Office 2004
Alcohol in the System? How Community Care Has Changed the Work of Alcohol Agencies Alcohol Concern Alcohol Concern 1997
Alcohol Services Directory 2007 Hoffland A, Crockett T, Thomas G and Barbour S Alcohol Concern 2007
Associations Between Migrancy, Health and Homelessness: A Cross-Sectional Study Tompkins, Charlotte et al Wiley-Blackwell 2003
Beyond Help? Homeless Link Homeless Link 1997
Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) 2001
DHSSPSNI Drug and Alcohol Statistics and Research Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Drug and Alcohol Use and the Link with Homelessness: Results from a Survey of Homeless People in London Fountain, J et al Taylor and Francis 2003
Drug Problems: Where to Get Help - The UK Edition DrugScope DrugScope
Drug Services for Homeless People: A Good Practice Handbook Randall, Geoff and Drugscope Communities and Local Government 2002
Drug Strategy 2008: Broadway's Response to the Government's Consultation Rice, Becky Broadway 2008
Drug Use Among the Homeless Population in Ireland Lawless, Marie and Corr, Caroline The Stationery Office (TSO) 2005
Druglink DrugScope DrugScope
Drugs and Youth Homelessness: Reducing the Risk Klee, H and Reid, P Taylor and Francis 1998
Drugs Use and Begging: A Practice Guide Davies, Rose and Waite, Sarah Home Office 2004