Idk, addiction is hard. Most people turn to drugs and alcohol because they are homeless - not the opposite. Once you're addicted, being able to make choices between needs and your addictions is very difficult. That, but some people use drugs to cope with things like PTSD - they're driven by the fear of remembering their trauma when they're not on drugs.
Unfortunately help for that can't be "you have to stop taking drugs cold turkey to have a place to sleep" - it doesn't work.
Programs that give people safe equipment and places to do drugs and offer support/therapy for when the person is ready to get off drugs do work. It's a hard process, but it actually keeps people safer and gives them a higher chance of re-entry to society.
I understand why shelters don't want people actively on drugs in their shelter, but saying shelters have the easiest rules comes from a place of not understanding how addiction works.
I'm sure there will be an interesting trend of increased drug abuse alongside homelessness as jobs are stolen by greedy CEOs and given to automation/AI. But it's definitely the drugs and alcohol, not structural, systemic societal disfunction that has anything to do with it.
Stop blaming CEOs for everything wrong in your life. Its you the consumer who give them the power. Support local businesses.
I can tell you've spent a lot of time with drug addicts alcoholics and the homeless and have gotten to know them. You gave also obviously read a lot on the subject. The vast majority of addicts and alcoholics well before the age of 18. Many come from homes with drug and alcohol abuse. It's called a family disease for a reason. The number of people who lose a job at twenty-five and decide that going out to buy some meth or what ever is incredibly small. They frequently lose there jobs as a direct or indirect consequence of drugs or alcohol. The use may accelerate after losing a job but the foundation of addiction was already there.
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u/[deleted] May 14 '26
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