The Homeless Population Is Growing Rapidly And There Seems To Be No Way To Stop It.

It even seems like it’s turning into an apocalyptic disaster.

What are the real reasons, and what should we do to root them out?

There has never been so much calamity in the streets as what is being experienced lately. Corner markets are overwhelmed trying to control those who steal out of hunger, and workers in large clothing stores are running out of patience in finding broken and empty article boxes.

The problem has become severe and is beginning to reach our neighborhoods.

But that kind of behavior (if you can call it that) must have a root.

I remember when I went through homelessness, I felt so afraid because I didn’t know where all those people were coming from — jail, the mental hospital, or on the run from the law. I didn’t know. What scared me the most were the shelters with painted cream-block walls that somehow felt like incarceration.

I didn’t talk to anyone, but everyone seemed to have continuous conversations with themselves.

I felt terrified to even go to the bathroom.

When it was cold, it was too hot inside; when it was hot, the air conditioning was on full blast. I don’t know if the reason was to keep us quiet.

When I went out in the morning, the streets looked so typical when, in my environment, I felt abandoned and disconnected from society. My words cannot express the emptiness I felt. Not family or old friends — just many poorly dressed and disheveled people around.

I had my story, guilt, and disappointment for falling to that level. I thought I had a good reason, or maybe that was my excuse to mask my irresponsibility.

Behind all my failures was my alcohol addiction.

When I hit rock bottom, I had nothing or no one left to blame but to accept my guilt. I lost my home, responsibility for work, and love for my loved ones. I unleashed myself to drink non-stop until I was ruined, wandering the streets and begging for mercy.

This is my testimony or case, but what about the others?

The only way to discover it is to live and coexist with them. In any case, I am looking to unearth the root of the reason for the growth of accelerated homelessness.

One of the things I noticed is how much help they are given. No one can complain about hunger, a place to sleep, or clothes to wear.

The reason comes from the background of each individual. Each comes from different paths, but they intertwine in a great highway full of accessible substances. Even syringes are provided to prevent the transmission of diseases. And pills are prescribed as if treating a common illness.

We are talking about people susceptible to using everything that numbs them from reality.

Instead of helping them, the institutions supply them with everything they need to self-destruct.

What happens now? And this is the key to seeing so many wandering the streets even late at night instead of being inside shelters.

The majority prefer to sleep outside rather than be restricted from continuing to consume what is destroying them.

The shelter has rules and restrictions to avoid conflict and give security to its clients (as they are called inside). Restriction is what the individual least accepts.

I began to realize that the problem turned from people with a substance use disorder to mental degradation.

Little by little, I saw how those who thought they were street-smart weakened to the point of forgetting about their dangerous situation. They were sleeping outside in the cold or snow or exposing themselves to an overdose with no one around to help them.

My deduction to the homelessness situation.

There may be better results if psychiatric intervention is given before they fall further. I was assigned to a therapist, and I regret not having followed through.

Therapy can stop a catastrophe if the internal problem is detected on time and appropriate help is given.

Rehabilitation programs and centers must be offered from the beginning.

They can start with rehabilitation and continue enrolling in affordable housing programs.

Monitor them constantly between the therapist and the shelter nurse. How many times do they go to the hospital, and what are the reasons? Even if they are simple falls or fractures, look for the reasons for these accidents.

I hope someone benefits from this article or shares it with someone who needs it.

It could be a stranger, a friend, or a neighbor because if we don’t do something humanitarian, this severe problem could already reach our loved ones.

I overcame homelessness but not without exposing myself to great danger, and I do not wish anyone to go through this.

We must have mercy on ourselves and be alert so that life’s difficulties do not push us into the valley of death.

If you know someone going through emotional problems who lacks control over addictive substances, that person may be on the brink of losing their home and falling into the abyss of homelessness and addictions. Please call a helpline.

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