NCJ Number
163251
Journal
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: (1991) Pages: 415-422
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study describes the nature of homelessness among hospitalized psychiatric inpatients with a dual diagnosis of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders.
Abstract
Although homelessness in patients with combined addictive and psychiatric illness is a common problem, little has been reported about the epidemiology of homelessness in this patient population. This study of 100 dually diagnosed patients admitted to a large metropolitan psychiatric hospital found that a large portion of patients were homeless at the time of admission. Alcohol and crack/cocaine were the most frequently used drugs. There were no significant differences on most parameters between those who were homeless and those who were not. Many among the disadvantaged, inner-city, dually diagnosed population moved in and out of the homeless state, seriously compromising their chances of recovery. Self-help treatment programs were more commonly used by homeless than by domiciled patients. The homeless population may therefore be amenable to treatment in 12-step groups, as are domiciled patients. References