While rates of problem drinking are disproportionately high among those experiencing homelessness, alcohol consumption alone does not necessarily signal addiction or a harmful/problematic lifestyle. In addition, many people who are addicted to alcohol never experience homelessness, but an individual that is experiencing housing instability, often due to low income, has an increased risk of losing their housing if they overconsume. Once on the streets, an individual with substance use issues, including problem drinking, has little chance of getting housing as they face insurmountable barriers to obtaining health care, including substance use treatment services and recovery supports. 

As with drug use, alcohol may impair a person’s ability to safely and competently make decisions and carry out tasks that they engage in. It may lead to deteriorating health, accidental death, increased chances of risky sexual behaviours, an inability to work or stay in school, ruptured relations with family, friends and community members and problems with the law.¹