Substance Use

Treating Alcohol Use Disorder in the Primary Care Setting

People experiencing homelessness experience high rates of alcohol use disorder, estimated to be as high as 40%, and increased morbidity and mortality from alcohol use, as well as increased barriers to treatment including limited financial resources, limited insurance coverage, photo ID requirements, comorbid physical and mental health conditions, and stigma. The most accessible place for …

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Developing a Model of On Site Geriatric Care for People with Lived Experience of Homelessness

In an interactive workshop format, we propose to present our evaluation of the Flexible Housing Pool program of Chicago and Cook County (FHPCC). FHPCC expands the supply of permanent supportive housing (PSH) units and lowers eligibility barriers to PSH for high-risk individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the region. FHPCC’s innovative features comprise (1) a …

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Emerging Health Care Concerns Among People Experiencing Homeless Who Use Xylazine

Xylazine (“Tranq”) first appeared in the opioid drug supply over a decade ago, however, it has now infiltrated over 90% of the drug supply in one large city. This presentation will discuss how the increase in xylazine has impacted the health care concerns among people experiencing homeless (PEH) in several areas: pregnancy/prenatal care, wounds, and …

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Providing Equitable & Effective Addiction Care for People Experiencing Homelessness

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have increased rates of polysubstance use and more than 12x the risk of overdose mortality compared to the general population (Fine, 2022). Being homeless makes it difficult to meet basic biological needs, and shelters often utilize congregate living arrangements that can be challenging for people seeking recovery. The Housing First approach …

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PCI: Harm Reduction and HCH: Supporting People Who Use Drugs Across the Spectrum of Care

Co-sponsored by the National Harm Reduction Coalition and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, this full-day session will focus on harm reduction practices to support people experiencing homelessness who use drugs. Taught by expert faculty from both the harm reduction and health care for the homeless communities, the day will include practical strategies …

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Progression, Not Perfection An Introduction to Harm Reduction in Medical Respite Care Settings

Alcohol, heroin, fentanyl, and a host of other substances compound the complexity of healing without having a place to call home. Substance use disorders are epidemic; overdoses are at an all-time high. The effects frequently lead to cycling from the streets to the hospital to jail to shelter to the streets and back to the …

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Oral Presentation 7: Addiction Recovery and Sober Living

Speakers: Michael Mayer: Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program; Dr. Mary Lashley: Professor, Towson University Department of Nursing; Dr. Jason Worcester: Medical Director, Boston Accountable Care Organization; Andrew Maier: Executive Assistant, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program Consumer Advisory Board Session Materials: Download PowerPoint Presentation

Centering Lived Experience and Justice with People Navigating Homelessness and Substance Use

Our organization’s street outreach program comprises case managers (many of whom are social workers), physicians (psychiatry, internal medicine, and emergency medicine), interns (including social work and public health), students (including medicine, undergraduate, and social work), residents (internal medicine, family medicine, triple board), and people with lived experience with homelessness and intersectional concerns (not as discrete …

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