The connection between mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness in America is undeniably complex. People dealing with mental health problems may turn to substances as a form of self-medication, increasing their risk of addiction. As substance use rises, it can lead to financial hardship, job loss, and broken relationships — all of which raise the chances of ending up unhoused. Conversely, the harsh and often traumatic conditions of homelessness can worsen existing men

Substance use disorder (SUD) recovery is a complex, lifelong process requiring coordinated support across health care, social services, and community systems. Unlike other chronic conditions, SUD is episodic and has uniquely high stakes due to the lethality of the current drug supply. The lethality of today’s drug supply means that a gap in care or a recurrence of symptoms can quickly become fatal.

Author Dr. Saba Riaz will explore how trauma and emotional stress from early life experiences can disrupt the neurochemical balance in the brain. According to Dr. Riaz, “Addiction strongly affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that regulate mood, reward, and impulse control. Chronic stress and trauma cause changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that create a biochemical environment that increases the probability of addiction.”