Often times the ways that homeless people survive is by coping in unhealthy ways. In “Voices of the Street” the chapter “Recovery Issues” discusses the relationships with homeless people and addictions. One homeless man shares, “homelessness and drug abuse and alcoholism go hand in hand” (144). Many of the homeless people interviewed share how, “drugs and alcohol took away the pain of their experiences and helped pass the time” (151). Homeless people are trying to survive and their means of surviving are limited. They are acting as a result of their desperate circumstance. It is their circumstance that influences their behavior. What would you do in order to survive the traumatic experience of being homeless?
Also, why do you think “poverty is so invisible?” In what ways have the homeless become invisible?
5 thoughts on “Coping”
Comments are closed.
I saw a similar scenario in “Book of the Poor” as one man said that he had no where else to turn so he believed drugs, alcohol, and crime were his only options. It is sad to think that people living in poverty feel like they have no other options. I am trying to imagine what I would do in that situation, and I simply cannot. After being homeless for so long, I feel like I would definitely lose hope. I cannot imagine what it is like feeling so hopeless that I need drugs and alcohol to “keep me company” in a sense. Homelessness can be a very lonely world.
Coping is difficult to imagine without feeling the setting that would lead to a particular behavior. Currently I can afford drinking as a coping mechanism, but am I better as an alcoholic because I can afford it? Drugs and alcohol are used by rich and poor alike, the rich can simply hide their actions in the privacy of their home, a privilege that the homeless unfortunately cannot afford. Furthermore, I wouldn’t necessarily say that homeless are invisible as much as many people have trained their eyes not to see them. Next time you go to a large retailer, such as the Redlands Target, find someone begging for money or asking for donations, then watch the eyes of those people passing by and you’ll see the near symmetrical response of ignorance by all those that walk by you. In fact, this is a common sight right here on campus in the foyer of the Irvine Commons (cafeteria).
I saw a similar scenario in “Book of the Poor” as one man said that he had no where else to turn so he believed drugs, alcohol, and crime were his only options. It is sad to think that people living in poverty feel like they have no other options. I am trying to imagine what I would do in that situation, and I simply cannot. After being homeless for so long, I feel like I would definitely lose hope. I cannot imagine what it is like feeling so hopeless that I need drugs and alcohol to “keep me company” in a sense. Homelessness can be a very lonely world.
Because alcohol and other outlets are coping mechanisms and homeless condone these acts due to their circumstances, what puts them in these circumstances? If we look at the root causes of the circumstance, that might help us understand behaviors homeless people exude. Also, if we can recognize circumstances that lead to this behavior, what can we do to stop it from the start?
The book Voices from the Street by Jessica Morrell provides answers to your first question about the circumstances that causes homelessness. Each homeless person has their own story. Some are homeless due to a series of unfortunate events. This can include losing your job or spouse. Unemployment benefits may have run out. Perhaps you have suffered a medial injury or have been evicted from your home. Maybe you made some wrong choices. Family background and childhood play a role too. Perhaps as a child the homeless person was neglected, abused, or lived in many foster homes. One man shares, “ my situation is because of early instability. That is part of the cause, but not the only one” (26). Veterans might be homeless due to a heavy culture of drugs and alcohol while in the military. One man comments that he believes that 80% of the military is alcoholic. When asked why he replied, “ you give all these kids free room and board, kind of a fat paycheck, nothing to do…” (86). Understanding the causes for homelessness assists with finding solutions. Voices from the Street provides valuable insight from the perspective of the homeless. The book represents interviews from about 515 homeless people in Portland. Each person has their own story for their cause of homelessness. The homeless people also offer insightful solutions to assist homeless people.
*Voices from the Street can be purchased on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=voices+from+the+street+by+jessica+morrell&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Avoices+from+the+street+by+jessica+morrell