How Stable Housing Supports Recovery
from Substance Use Disorder
HEALTH EXPERTS AGREE:
The importance of safe, attractive, supportive, affordable long-term housing cannot be overstated.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health article:
Due to many factors associated with substance use disorder, there is a high correlation between housing insecurity and substance use disorders. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development found that roughly 108,035 persons experiencing homelessness in 2023 were also experiencing chronic substance misuse. This makes up approximately 16.5% of the total homeless population in 2023. Housing insecurity also contributes to opioid-related outcomes. Opioid overdose is more common in individuals experiencing housing insecurity than in individuals who use drugs but are not homeless. As drug overdose rates and rates of homelessness continue to increase, jurisdictions may consider using opioid settlement funds on interventions that address both substance use disorder and housing insecurity.
A complex relationship exists between substance use disorder and homelessness. Substance use disorder can be both the cause and the result of homelessness. The heavy misuse of substances may cause some individuals to “drift” into homelessness while homelessness may also reinforce the misuse of substances as a method of coping with the stressors and dangers of living on the streets. The experience of stress has been associated with an increased vulnerability to developing substance use disorder, and therefore, many believe stable housing serves as an important factor in addressing this. There is evidence that having a safe place to live can provide stability so that individuals can focus on other aspects of their health. Efforts to prevent homelessness, like Housing First and Permanent Supportive Housing, contribute to improved SUD outcomes.
NIH Studies
Home prices are through the roof. Apartment rents have reached astronomical levels. The vast majority of those receiving treatment at Medicaid funded treatment centers face a housing crisis upon their discharge. Their housing options are worse than bleak. They have no healthy, nurturing place to go or any place at all, in many cases. Addicts and alcoholics are notorious for sporadic employment, terrible credit scores, and mountains of debt. No landlord in their right mind would rent to that guy. Besides, they can’t afford market rents anyway. They usually end up in a place not conducive to their recovery—a place not so clean, safe, structured and supportive. Before long, the relapses begin.
According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), our newly recovering friend has a significantly better chance of achieving long-term recovery if he resides in a safe, supportive, structured, affordable, zero-tolerance, extended-stay, well-managed sober house after rehab. That’s a big if. Not all recovery houses are created equal. The study also concluded that participation in the fellowships of AA and NA contributes greatly to long-term recovery. In a nutshell, the study concludes healthy relationships matter. We would take that one step further. In fact, healthy relationships are everything. Long-term recovery has to be a “we” thing. It’s not about staff delivering services to clients in an institution for a fee. It’s about us helping each other in a safe, supportive, structured, zero-tolerance, extended-stay, affordable, well-managed sober-home after rehab.
We wholeheartedly agree with the findings in the NIH study. If you’re interested in learning more about the efficacy of well-run hallway houses based on a study by NIH. The icing on the cake is that not only is Donleigh House affordable for anyone with a job, it has proven itself to be very effective in treating substance abuse in the long-term. All this, while costing taxpayers and insurance companies nothing. Let’s create more Donleigh Houses!
Two Birds, One Stone.