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Take a look around you each and every day, you have seen the person on the street that obviously does not fit into the picture. This person will most likely be male, further will be disheveled, and will most likely carry some baggage. You have seen this person most likely today.

Did you ever think that this may happen to you? Today the economy in the United States is adding to the homeless population at an alarming rate. Situational homelessness from the economy is the same as the person who is homeless stemming from an addiction from any substance that impairs.

Homelessness is homelessness! The person that works with you that is dressed well, smells good, may have just lost his or her home due to a bad variable mortgage that exceeds what his or her income could sustain. They may have spent every last dollar from savings, pensions, and investments to try and make it work, but simply could not. The end result…Homelessness. These folks may have some family, friends etc that will take them in for their current situation merits it, however…just as it is with the people on the streets that are disheveled, dirty and foul of mood, how long will it take for the person that lost his or her home to wear out the welcome with the myriad of friends that he or she may have?

It has long been said, that guests that are staying for the holidays usually start getting moody after three days. Fish is the same way, if its not taken care of it will start to smell, and to get that smell away is a chore of the ultimate challenge.

Your best friend of 15 years, lost everything, and is staying with you, but after day three, he or she you find out is not a clean freak as perhaps you are, you find out that he or she, loves to watch cartoons, and you are the news channel junkie, and guess what…there is only one TV. Eventually there will be a significant problem, and your guest will be either asked to leave or volunteer to, but none the less both parties will have a permanent mark on that friendship.

Here is where it gets interesting. In this authors opinion, every single homeless person has a story, in most of the individuals I have spoken to, they started their homeless career after a death of loved one, loss of job, or medical issue, and only as of recently, a very bad variable rate adjusted mortgage.

Friends play a large part of the homeless cause and effects. Eventually each and every one of us will know someone, perhaps immediate family, co-worker, friend of friend, it does not matter, you will know of at least one person that went homeless. What you do as friend or family, will forever impact the person that is fresh from losing everything, whether at-first you help them, and you later give them the boot, it will forever affect them. Interestingly enough, it will be the very last action that effected the new homeless person, that they will remember!

A homeless person has a substantial challenge ahead of them, they have to learn to negotiate social services, which at this point in their lives, they most likely have no idea where the office to start is located, and more importantly, the mental condition of this new homeless person is not entirely to stable.

This is the element that seems to start the most damage in the fastest time. The new homeless individual is going to be looking for "crutches" such as whatever they liked when they were solid with employment and housing, I would have to say the immediate crutch is going to be alcohol. Its still by far the easiest item to obtain, and you will find some high potency alcohol for little money, however the new homeless person has to figure this out.

Over the course of one month, the new homeless has not maintained hygiene, has lost weight, shows significant physical signs of stress and exhaustion etc, perhaps been sleeping in his or her car, at a shelter, or the worst of all, outside, in the unprotected.

The new homeless tragedy through the "underground" homeless network in every major city, is at least eating, he or she knows that there are multiple places to get food, and recently was told that he or she could go the Social Services office and participate in a welfare program, that would generate to them personally a couple hundred dollars a month! After a month on the street with nothing, this is a huge accomplishment. Almost instantly the person does what he or she needs to do to be half way presentable to do what is required, to gain the $200.00 to sustain their life. Its at this point that the mental position of this person if noticed, can be manipulated to into a variety of areas.

This new homeless person is battling several issues that is promoting the "on-the street" mentality. This very person that you once knew as a powerhouse thinker or perhaps an all-around nice person, is stuck in a mode of thinking that is strictly survival at best. No matter WHAT! This is the time that will start generating law enforcement interaction. Perhaps this person has already picked up a open container citation, or urinating in public charge, or this authors personal favorite, improper use of a shopping cart. Its these extremely minor charges that cause some serious issues that I will cover in one of the next articles.

This General Relief as it is known in California, is an all purpose safety net, or at least that is what it was designed to do. This GR was meant to be used very short term, for items such as acquiring a birth certificate, for those that lost their identification, paying for state identification costs, perhaps buying a prepaid cellular phone, so one could at least make calls, basically and myriad of issues that would significantly help to get one on their feet. However, this is not what happens. Come the first of the month through the first couple of weeks of that same month, the payouts for the "GR" are issued.

Its at this time, that positive action could be initiated, however its the new homeless, or perhaps better stated, the seasoned homeless, can buy liquor, or with the help of the underground network, start purchasing items that are a tad more expensive than liquor, but…do the numbing job of liquor much faster, and as far as the bang for the buck…this would be it. Now, you have a person that is drinking, and followed the gateway drug alcohol into the realm of controlled substances and uncontrolled substances.

I would imagine being that your reading this letter from a loved one, educator, or social worker point of view, I would bet that your asking what happened at the place that this person was able to get the "GR" assistance, was there no interaction with the "client" at that point, was there no interviewing, or direct contact with this person? The answer is yes, there was indeed "through the glass" contact!

Pride is a huge factor still in the new homeless person even after some time in the streets. The intelligent case worker or screener should indeed know this as part of their training, or at least listen to some of their Intuitive ESP. Think about it, the person meets every single visual criteria for being homel 1ff8 ess, they show the signs of chemical abuse, wouldn’t a very good case manager be able to take some decisive action, and point their "fellow brother or sister" in the right direction, and help them significantly at this first point of contact?

The answer is an overwhelming NO! Department of Social Services in California is simply at best a cattle line, people come in and they go out, most of them if they chose to eliminate pride are taken care of fairly, they are given vouchers for single room occupancy hotels, General Relief, and food stamps. In the streets this is the "Grand-Slam". However the hotel expires in 30 days. "GR" and the food stamp program are limited as well, there must be some paperwork filed, and evidence of job searching. California does have a program that is mandatory to attend, which teaches folks how to look for, interview for, and appear for a job. This program goes as far as helping each graduate with the clothing for the interview process.

Again…the evil PRIDE presents itself in an incredible manor. This person who perhaps 6 months ago was working, drove a car, had a home, and wore considerably better clothing, finds him or herself presented with people that are his or her equal, and yet pride holds out yet again. This is a major contributing factor to the chronic homelessness problem. PRIDE!

The overall accomplishment of finally getting some cash, food stamps, and a small place to stay, is a huge accomplishment. This person is going to celebrate this accomplishment! Fresh off the simple feeling of accomplishment, this person is going to start spending money negatively, this person will buy more expensive alcohol, and will purchase a bit bigger quantity of the escaping drug that he or she was introduced to very recently. This formerly very responsible person will manage to rip through the "GR" money, and will find out through the "homeless underground" how to now sell their food stamps for cash, to earn a few more dollars.

In the next article, We will discuss the second and subsequent cycles of homelessness and addiction, and will start to reveal some techniques that are just now beginning to show promise when approaching the homeless population for getting them off the streets and into services!

Author: RB Wiseman

"RB" Wiseman is the Founder of the Policy Institute on Homelessness and Addiction Studies in Los Angeles California, he currently is completing his masters degree is Metaphysical Science with the emphasis on Metaphysical psychology.

Mr. Wiseman is a paramount force in the fields of homelessness and addictions study. RB currently works with rehabilitation centers and specialists developing new curriculum for overcoming addiction based behavior, as well as working with Drug and Alcohol educators in teaching positive and creative thinking, motivational self thinking, and action based momentum for the addict personality. RB is due to complete his first book in 2009, which deals with spiritual guidance and meditation specifically for the addictive personality.

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Alcohol Detox And Its Benefits

It has been seen that alcohol detox is considered to be one of the best options for getting rid of your addiction to alcohol. Basically alcohol detox implies the elimination and removal of alcohol from the body of an alcoholic, which is brought about by abstinence from alcohol. Alcohol detox also includes medication, and altering the diet of the patient along with support from friends and family so that they can remain committed on the same for a longer time.

Through the alcohol detox you can be ensured that the liver and kidneys would be able to normally carry out detoxification in the body. And in hardened alcoholics there are also options for alternative detoxification processes because they are the ones which are the most difficult to detox. There are various methods for alcohol detox and these include detoxification procedures that can be done at home but applies to the people where the alcohol consumption is moderate.

However in the complicated alcohol detox cases, which often involve symptoms like hallucinations and multi-substance misuse, it becomes necessary for a team of doctors and nurses to interfere and the person may have to stay in rehabilitation for a certain period. There are various methods for alcohol detox but the general detoxification session usually lasts 5 to 6 weeks. Here protein-rich diets along with fiber and fluids are suggested to the person and they should also consume water throughout the day. There are various other kinds of medicines and foods given in these alcohol detox treatments so that the person is able to recover from internal damage as well as mental problems caused due to alcohol abuse. It should be remembered that alcohol detox should always be consulted with a doctor or family physician so that the extent of treatment required can be understood.

Alcohol Detox – Just the Beginning of Alcohol Treatment

Alcohol detox is only the first step towards recovery from alcoholism. In an alcohol detox program, all that has been accomplished is the elimination of alcohol from the body, the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and the development of a foundation for your future recovery. The real work must follow and comes in resolving the core issues surrounding why you continue to drink, despite all of the negative consequences. Research shows, that people who only attend alcohol detox, instead of also following through with an alcohol rehab program, will most likely end up in relapse.

The average length of time you spend in an alcohol detox program is between three to seven days. Alcohol detox can be completed safely and effectively in any residential alcohol treatment program. If you are using drugs in conjunction with alcohol, it is imperative that this information is shared with the treating physician. These additional drugs can drastically alter the alcohol detox protocol designed for you, which is the tool used to manage your alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

By: FastSubmitArticles.com

Read more about Alcohol Abuse and Rehab Solutions.

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Many drug addicts that I have come across often like to play the blame game. You know that? Instead of accepting responsibility for their actions, they blame others. They complained that others lead them into drugs. Now, that is a wrong step towards solving the problem. What you should do or let your loved one do is to accept responsibility for choosing to become an addict. Another problem of many addicts out there is that they don’t agree they have a drug abuse problem. If you don’t agree, then you will be rejecting every effort to get you out of the problem.

Now, what is the solution to the problem of drug addiction? Many people will advise you to check into a rehab center. That is good and highly recommended. But it is actually one of the many solutions. Another way to tackle the problem is to examine the source of the problem.

In other words, you need to know how you got into the problem in the first place. For instance, if you are a teenager, there is a high probability that your friends led you into it. So, the first step to dealing with the problem is to get rid of the friends that led you into the problem. The same thing applies if you have young person involved in drugs. Try and separate him or her from drug addicted friends. I am not saying that is the only solution. I am only saying that that is a step in the right direction. On the other hand, if you are an adult, there is a high probability that situations beyond your control led you into taking comfort in drugs. So, to solve the problem you will need to examine the situations that led you into it. You need to examine what can be done in order to stop yourself resorting to drugs when such situations arise. If you think you cannot solve it alone, it is highly recommended that you seek external help.

It is only when you don’t have solution to the problem of drug addiction even after looking at the source and taking the first step to solving the problem that you should take a look at the idea of checking into a drug rehab center. Many of these centers exist around you. However, you need to look before you leap. Make sure that the center is reliable and has the necessary facilities to help you or a loved one get out of drug addiction.

Author: Ras Reed

Ras Reed provide more useful information on Drug And Alcohol Rehab and Drug And Alcohol Rehab Centers on his website.

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At some point in each person’s life he or she is given a talk about drugs and alcohol and the effects that both can have. Most of us were taught in school health classes that the effects of drugs and alcohol can be emotional as well as physical and can have a big impact on the people who surround us as well as on our individual bodies. While this is certainly true, what most people don’t understand-until they are in the throes of addiction-is just how devastating the physical and emotional affects of drug and alcohol addiction can be.

In drug and alcohol rehab, drug and alcohol addicts will work individually, together and with trained drug and alcohol addiction experts to understand both the physical and emotional demands of overcoming an addiction. The experts in drug rehab programs have helped many clients get sober and they know how to help people cope as they go through withdrawal and face the emotional truths that contributed to their drug and alcohol addictions.

Physical Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

As a person falls deeper and deeper into the throes of alcohol addiction and drug addiction, their friends and family will start to notice that the addict is physically changing. Internally your body will be dealing with intense cravings for the addict’s drug of choice (or any drug at all, depending on the addiction). Outwardly, a drug addict can display any (or all) of the following symptoms:

- Bloody noses
– Coughing for no reason
– Lack of coordination or unexplainable drowsiness
– Irregular pupil size
– Eyes moving back and forth rapidly and unable to focus on anything
– Bloodshot or red eyes
– Smokey smell or other drug smells on clothing
– Physical marks on the skin (track marks, rashes, etc)
– Inability to sit still
– Incessant scratching or rubbing
– Infection on the skin
– Drug paraphernalia in pockets or usually within close proximity to the person
– Hair loss
– Excessive carefulness of one’s appearance and behavior when the person usually isn’t quite so meticulous (could be a sign of a cover up)

Emotional Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Emotional effects of drug and alcohol addiction aren’t always as obvious as the physical effects can be. The truth is that drug and alcohol addictions are usually closely related to an emotional issue that has existed for quite a while. While it is true that an addiction can be physical-the triggers for that addiction are usually emotional. Here are some of the emotional effects a drug addiction can have, both on the addict and the people in an addict’s life:

- Increased feelings of loneliness and ostracism
– Increased irritability
– Increased fatigue
– Unexplainable anxiety
– Inability to concentrate
– Feelings of abandonment (for both the addict and the people in the addict’s life)
– Stress from strained relationships
– Fear that the addiction is out of control
– Fear of rejection if addiction is discovered
– Fear that even if the addict gets sober, they will no longer be accepted by their social circle
– Anger at people who "don’t get it"

In a drug and alcohol rehab, both the person with the addiction and the people surrounding the addict will go through counseling sessions to help face and deal with the emotional ramifications of alcohol or drug addiction. Experts agree that these sessions are imperative for the addict’s continued sobriety once his or her time in drug rehab has finished and he (or she) has to stay sober in the "regular world." The experts and therapists can also help an addict cope with the physical addiction to drugs and alcohol and the withdrawal process the addict will deal with after being admitted to the center.

The truth is that drug addiction is neither all physical nor entirely emotional. The staff in most drug rehabilitation centers understand and work with you to deal with all aspects of overcoming addiction and living a sober life.

Author: Matt Brindisi

And now I invite you to Transformations Drug Treatment. You are important. You can change your life. You deserve it. Please call me, Matthew Brindisi, right now at 866-211-5538 and speak to me or one of my staff. Learn more about Transformations Treatment Center today.

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A question often asked by those whose lives are affected by a drunken partner, family member, or friend, is why does there seem to be such a major difficulty getting boozers to moderate their drinking or sober up altogether? Well, first is there’s that all too common trait known as denial. Denial allows far too many drinkers and drug dependent people to think they don’t have a problem. Until a drunk actually admits to their addiction with alcohol, there will be slim chance of them taking positive steps towards seeking a solution to their malady. Pride is another obstacle. Even when an alcoholic does throw in the towel, reaching out for help from others often proves too difficult. This is when Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meetings can come in very useful.

Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meetings Offer a Lifeline

You may or may not have heard of a fellowship called Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Over the years it has helped millions of alcoholics and heavy drinkers sober up and stay stopped. The drawback with AA is that it requires the one with the problem to turn up in person and sit amongst a room full of strangers. This is no easy first step for anyone, let alone a solitary drunk who is probably carrying around decades of built up shame, remorse, and guilt due to a string of bad events caused by years of binging on booze.

So many drunks live in denial and carry around with them a false pride which hinders their chances of recovery. Alcoholics are often branded by medical experts as egomaniacs with inferiority complexes, thus making them difficult to treat. Having such a warped self image is one reason why it takes a long time before an active alcoholic surrenders. So when it’s suggested that they reach out and ask for help from a bunch of total strangers in an AA meeting, it’s hardly surprising that many opt not to. Such a suggestion is simply too big an ordeal in those early days of sobriety. Alcoholics Anonymous online meetings offer a much gentler and a totally anonymous introduction to those seeking rescue from a fate worse than death.

Anyone with a computer and connection to the internet can login to an AA online program. From the privacy of home, the curious one can lurk in forums and listen into live meetings without identifying themselves or participating in any way. It really is a great approach for the newly sober (or still drinking) individual to learn about alcoholism and how to recover from it.

You’re not alone with AA Online Meetings

Alcoholism is often called the lonely disease because many problem drinkers feel isolated and cut off from the real world. Even those who still have jobs and are surrounded by family and friends are unable to shrug off this feeling of isolation. In fact, the more they are surrounded by their fellows, the lonelier they become. True loneliness is not determined by being alone, but by feeling alone, and there are few who feel more solitary than those who live for the bottle. Tapping into AA online meetings is the first step towards connecting again with others. It’s a virtual world where problem drinkers get to associate with, and relate to like minded folks who have found a solution to their troubles.

An alcoholic’s recovery is maintained by reaching out and helping the alcoholic who still suffers. One of the AA slogans goes; ‘You can’t keep it unless you give it away!’ and it’s a method that appears to work very well for those who practice it, whether through the virtual world or the real!

Author: Andy Maingam

Learn more on how alcoholics or borderline alcoholics get sober using Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meetings as a method of recovery. More solutions to other addictions can be found at http://www.addictedtomore.com. Your Independent guide to Coping with Dependency.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Maingam

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