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Introduction

Alcoholism has been one of the principal problems in the recent times. As much as there are differences as to the level in which different countries, states, communities and even families are affected, the problem remains etched in many parts of the world. Of course, there are various reasons for the increased cases of alcoholism depending on the circumstances of any case. In some cases, it is caused by poverty as individuals imbue alcohol in an effort to forget their tough lives or the problems that they are going through. Peer pressure has also been blamed, as individuals want to feel that they belong in certain groups of people. However, the key thing that has led to the proliferation of alcoholism is its ease of availability. Numerous drinking places have opened up thereby serving as incentives for drinking. Alcoholism comes with numerous effects. Unfortunately, most studies and researches have concentrated on the physical, emotional, psychological and behavioral and psychosocial effects of alcoholism. The effects of alcoholism are usually generalized as far as the financial aspect is concerned. Few people have ever looked at alcoholism as a direct cause of homelessness. It is understandable that the establishment of a causative link between alcoholism and homelessness is a herculean task for many people. However, this is not difficult to establish at least going by the life Jackson Jackson in the story, “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”, by Sherman Alexie. This paper aims at looking into ways in which alcoholism may have led to homelessness in the case of Jackson Jackson.

Thesis statement: Alcoholism can make someone homeless

Jackson is an Indian American who lives in the streets with two other friends. While it is not clear whether Jackson was born was born in the streets, it is obvious that he is in the streets as a result of his irresponsibility caused by alcoholism.

One of the ways in which alcoholism can cause homelessness is by removing the element of shame from an individual. Many people would agree that homelessness comes with pity and shame. Unfortunately, Jackson is so proud of his situation that he has the guts to term himself “an effective homeless man”. He seems extremely proud of being good at being homeless and knowing where he can get the best food at no cost. He does not see any problem with always begging his friends in convenience stores and restaurants to allow him to use their bathrooms. He is obviously proud of being sufficiently trustworthy to use other people’s clean bathrooms, but he does not have the thought of getting his own bathroom (Alexie, 2).

In addition, alcohol seems to blur an individual’s capacity to have his or her priorities right. In the case of Jackson, there are various instances when he makes inappropriate decisions pertaining to finances without looking at his most pressing needs. As the story starts, Jackson and his two friends had panned the handle down and earned five dollars. As much as all of them are homeless, they deem then money as enough for a bottle of liquor. They do not look at the situation that they are in and, at least, make the effort to come out of it. On their way to the club, Jackson spots a powwow regalia that he suspects to have been his granny’s stolen some decades ago. Of course, it is difficult to understand why he would be concerned about a powwow regalia that was stolen eons ago, but this could be explained in terms of emotional attachment. However, the disturbing thing is that even when he is told to go back with nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars so that he can get back the regalia, he does not think of ways in which he can save money to earn the thing. He, instead, heads to the club and wastes the money on liquor. This includes some money (sixty dollars) that he has been given by the pawnbroker to start off (Alexie 6).

In addition, alcoholics are apt burning out opportunities that may, actually, get them out of their unpleasant situation or condition. In an effort to get some money to pay for the powwow regalia, Jackson thinks of selling newspapers and even starts off. The Big Boss, who sells him the papers, even gives him fifty papers at no cost. This would, essentially, increase his chances of getting the nine hundred and ninety nine dollars required for the regalia. After an hour, Jackson quits selling the papers after selling only five and dumps the remaining ones in a garbage basket.

On the same note, alcoholism may get an individual to be unusually generous or wasteful especially as pertaining to alcohol. At one time, Jackson wins some one hundred dollars in a lottery. He parts with twenty dollars, which he gives the woman at the register. He ends up wasting the remaining amount in a club, buying himself and his friends liquor for the larger part of the night. This is essentially eating into his ability to pay the required amount. In addition, a friendly policeman gives him thirty dollars. Unfortunately, he ends up buying his friends sumptuous meals. This money that could have gone a long way in helping him offset the amount or even salvage his situation.

Decision-making or thinking capacity of the individual is severely hampered. It is worth noting that Jackson would not even have had to pay for the regalia. After all, it had been stolen from his grandmother and he had positively identified it in which case he was fully entitled to having it without paying any coin. In fact, the friendly policeman offers to take him to the place and get the regalia back, but he declines opting to be a hero. He could have saved himself some money if he had chosen this option but it seems his decision-making capacity is severely affected by the alcoholism.

Lastly, it goes without saying that alcoholism makes many people lazy and, therefore, unable to work or earn a living. This is seen especially in the case of junior who, after spending an afternoon drinking, sleeps for the better part of the day. Were it not for alcohol, he probably would have spent the time working at some place and earning a living. Unfortunately, he is condemned to homelessness as a result of their laziness, which is essentially caused by the consumption of alcohol.

In conclusion, it is evident that alcoholism causes homelessness if the story is anything to go by. Not only does it impend an individual’s capacity to make decisions, but also his capacity to prioritize and even work. Most of these people are excessively wasteful thereby sliming their chances of salvaging their situations. Unfortunately, alcohol blinds them to such an extent that they do not see the shame that comes with homelessness, and therefore they do not have the incentive to work their way out of the situation.

Works cited

Alexie, Sherman. “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”. 2003

Alcoholism and homelessness
Bibliography
Thompson, Ronald, Wall, Melanie, Greenstein, Eliana, Grant, Bridget and Hasin, Deborah. “Substance-Use Disorders and Poverty as Prospective Predictors of First-Time Homelessness in the United States”. American Journal of Public Health, 103. 2(2013):282-288. Print.
According to Thompson, Wall, Greenstein, Grant and Hasin, many Americans, approximately 3.5 million, experience episodes of homelessness in a given year. Therefore, it is a public health problem that requires aIDress. Alcohol and drug related problems are also associated with the problem of alcoholism. The article investigates on how substance use disorder and poverty increase the risk of the homelessness. Therefore, this article helps to increase understanding about how alcohol use or substance use can cause or lead to homelessness. Thus, it lays the foundation for other researches to build on. This study is relevant to the discussion because it helps in enhancing understanding some of the measures that can be adopted to alleviate homelessness. One of the actions that should be taken is to alleviate levels of poverty.

Fichter, M., & Quadflieg, N. Alcoholism in homeless men in the mid-nineties: results from the Bavarian Public Health Study on homelessness. European Archives of Psychiatry & Clinical Neuroscience, 249.1(1999):34-41. Print.
According to this article, homeless has become publically more visible and as well received a lot of media attention in most of western industrialized countries. The population of the hopeless people changes often and includes ordinary poor people who because they cannot afford low cost housing, lose their foothold in society. Other reasons that cause homelessness are those that alienated from the society because of their difficulties in getting along with the rest of the members of the society. Alcohol problem is more deeply rooted in homeless people as compared to the rest of the population. AIDressing the problem therefore rests with the society, and the need for the people to embrace people that have social problems.

Kolata, Gina. Drug AIDicts Among the Homeless: Case Studies of Some ‘Lost Dreams’. 1989 Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/30/us/drug-aIDicts-among-the-homeless-case-studies-of-some-lost-dreams.html
This article written by Kolata Gina is about alcohol and drug aIDiction among the homeless. Various people that have experiences alcoholism recount their story and how they find themselves homeless. The article therefore helps in understanding how alcoholism leads people into homelessness. It is also relevant to the topic of study because it helps in understanding the measures that can be done to reduce the cases of homelessness brought about by alcoholism. One of the ways that this can be sorted out is to create awareness about the dangers of alcoholism.

McCarty, Den, Argeriou, Margret, Huebner, Robert, and Lubran, Brandet. Alcoholism, drug abuse, and the homeless. Am Psychol. 46.11(1991):1139-48. Print.
In this article, the researchers argue that alcohol abuse and drug abuse affect approximated at 30% to 40% homeless people. This means that many of the homeless people resort to alcoholism. Some of them become homeless as a mechanism to separate from their families and to alleviate stress. To aIDresses this problem, appropriate policies and intervention between control and rehabilitations should be put in place. The programs should be suitable for women, men and adolescents. One way is to offer free housing support for the homeless to support and maintain recovery. Psychologists can be of great importance in developing of effective programs to help homeless people manage their alcoholisms. Therefore, the study aIDresses the topic of study precisely.

Amato, Felix, and MacDonald, John.” Examining Risk Factors for Homeless Men: Gender Role Conflict, Help-Seeking Behaviors, Substance Abuse and Violence.” Journal of Men’s Studies, 19.3(2011):227-235. Print.
According to Amato and MacDonald, men are the more vulnerable group among the homeless and continue to struggle with substance use. The society has failed to support these groups of people in the society. Apart from this, these men are often reluctant to seek for help and therefore they continue to endure physical and psychological struggles. This study is credible as it is in-depth, and also suitable to the area of study. Homeless people are vulnerable, and the government and stakeholders must come up with amicable programs to help them deal with their alcoholism behaviors.

National Coalition of the Homeless. Substance abuse and homeless. 2009.
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/aIDiction.pdf
This article published by National Coalition for Homeless aIDresses the problem of alcoholism among the homeless. Most homeless people are thought to be alcoholic. Most of them struggle with substance abuse. Substance use such as alcohol is the major cause of homelessness, which contributes to many people losing their homes. These people have different needs compared to the general population. They have no families and their most important thing is to survive. Some of the solution or issues that require aIDress to help homeless people are to provide them with stable housing and after treatment. Others include per support, daily living and money management skills training among many others.

Personal interview with Mr. John a former homeless person that was alcoholic
In this interview with John, a former homeless person, the causes of homeliness are many but the major one is alcoholism. Alcohol intake causes a person to relinquish his or her responsibilities. It cuts off the family relationships through absconding of responsibilities and in some occasions it may be as a result of family abandonment. According to John, it is very difficult to come out of this state especially when it reaches a situation where a person is aIDicted to alcohol. The little money one gets ends on alcohol. Nevertheless, with the support from family members, it is very easy for a homeless person to come out of the situation.

Introduction
Alcoholism is a major problem in society. Many people that are homeless are alcoholic and as well use other drugs. Various studies have been carried out on homelessness and alcoholism over the years. This paper delineate on the various issues that need to be aIDressed among the homeless people to help them deal with alcoholism.
According to Thompson, Wall, Greenstein, Grant, and Hasin, many people in America approximately 3.5 million have experienced episodes of homelessness. An estimate of 750,000 experience homelessness on any given night (282). The problem of homelessness is of a public concern because it affects the lives of these individuals. Most of the homeless people use alcohol and other drugs. Most of the first time homeless people are driven by substance use and poverty. This is therefore a revelation on the causes of the problem and how this can be alleviated. Homeless individuals can therefore be aIDressed by first empowering the community. Members of the public must be empowered to prevent them from falling culprits.
According to National Coalition for Homeless, breaking aIDiction among homeless substance abusers is difficult. Motivation to stop drinking among these populations may not be fruitful. Homeless people are more concerned about their survival than personal growth and development, as finding food and shelter is the highest priority than drug counseling (Fichter & Quadflieg 34). The families and friends do not engage most of these individuals. Therefore, they require social support network to enable them recover from the substance aIDiction. Furthermore, even if these people break their aIDiction to alcohol, it will still be difficult for them to remain sober as they live on streets where they can easily access harmful substance. Treatments that focus on programming are more effective compared to harm reduction strategies. These programs do not aIDress the possibility of relapse. According to National Coalition for Homeless, many of the homeless people are not treated (2). There are various barriers that deter them from accessing treatment, which include lack of health insurance, long waiting lists, and lack of documentation. This therefore indicates that a lot is required to be aIDressed by the government if at all the homeless people will get help to manage their alcoholism. The needs of these homeless persons differ hence programs to aIDress their concerns should also be created specifically to aIDress the issues that face them.
One of the strategies is to provide the homeless individuals housing during and after treatment. This will reduce their relapse. Housing opportunities will be able to enhance the strategies and in the end will help to impact on their lives (Kolata para. 3). In aIDition to housing programs, they also must be provided with services such as mental health treatment, physical health care, employment opportunities and education, peer support and daily living and money management skills training (Thompson, Wall, Greenstein, Grant, and Hasin 282). For instance, peer sport can be of great help as many of the homeless people may be lacking social support. If family members and friends come closer to them and show them love, then it can help to motivate the people and make them to change their behaviors on alcoholism. Another issue that requires aIDress to enable homeless people change from alcohol taking is on management of their money and change in attitude (National Coalition of the Homeless 2). The homeless individuals may be lacking skills in their money management and this may cause them problem especially when they begin taking alcohol a lot.
When it comes to housing programmes, it should be included with the outreach and engagement of workers, coupled with a variety of flexible treatment options to select from, and other services to help reintegrate them into their community (Amato & MacDonald 227). It is prudent to establish the cause of the homeless. Many of these individuals have diverse reasons. For instance, an individual who became homeless because of family rejection or society rejection may not be willing to go back there. Therefore, in such cases, it is noble to recommend that such individuals are taken to centers that can help them change from their alcoholism behaviors (McCarty, Argeriou, Huebner and Lubran 1139). The supported housing programs including substance abuse services would help to greater extend homeless people treat their alcohol aIDictions and reestablish residential stability.
In the personal interview with a former homeless and an alcoholic aIDict, it was established that disconnect from families contributed to homelessness. Furthermore, people that are alcoholic have a higher change of becoming homeless. It is also very difficult to rehabilitate these homeless individuals that are alcoholic (Personal interview). They have become accustom-med to their new way of life and therefore it requires effective strategies to be able to get them out of the streets. Using social support is very critical in helping these people to relinquish their alcoholism and come back to their normal way of life.
In conclusion, various issue need aIDress among homeless persons in dealing with alcoholism. It is a very challenging problem and requires the effort of various stakeholders and the society in general. Understanding the circumstances that drive them to homelessness is important in aIDressing the problem. Various issues are considered in providing them with treatment such as housing programs, education, per support and social network among others.

Works Cited
Amato, Felix, and MacDonald, John.” Examining Risk Factors for Homeless Men: Gender Role Conflict, Help-Seeking Behaviors, Substance Abuse and Violence.” Journal of Men’s Studies, 19.3(2011):227-235. Print.
McCarty, Den, Argeriou, Margret, Huebner, Robert, and Lubran, Brandet. Alcoholism, drug abuse, and the homeless. Am Psychol. 46.11(1991):1139-48. Print
Kolata, Gina. Drug AIDicts Among the Homeless: Case Studies of Some ‘Lost Dreams’. 1989 Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/30/us/drug-aIDicts-among-the- homeless-case-studies-of-some-lost-dreams.html
Fichter, M., & Quadflieg, N. Alcoholism in homeless men in the mid-nineties: results from the Bavarian Public Health Study on homelessness. European Archives of Psychiatry & Clinical Neuroscience, 249.1(1999):34-41. Print.
National Coalition of the Homeless. Substance abuse and homeless. 2009.
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/aIDiction.pdf
Personal interview. Interview with Mr. John a former homeless person that was alcoholic
Thompson, Ronald, Wall, Melanie, Greenstein, Eliana, Grant, Bridget and Hasin, Deborah. “Substance-Use Disorders and Poverty as Prospective Predictors of First-Time Homelessness in the United States”. American Journal of Public Health, 103. 2(2013):282-288. Print.