Every human being needs housing, which also makes the topic of opioids and homelessness intriguing. Any conscious person in the United States could have been homeless, caused by the opioid epidemic. Some people become addicted to opioids after losing their homes, while others lose shelter due to opioid use. Opioids are extracted from opium and synthetic substances used in healthcare to relieve pain, generate euphoria, treat neurological disorders and address behavioral conditions caused by opioid abuse. Although opioid elements are necessary for treatment, they can be addictive and poisonous. Opioid abuse and overdose can result in death. The deaths and mortality caused by opioid abuse in the United States are quite alarming. This research paper will attempt to track how opioids have been abused in the United States and how they are associated with homelessness. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The government of the United States of America and relevant health authorities have intensified awareness campaigns associated with opioid abuse. They want to rehabilitate drug addicts and assist those affected by the crisis. The opioid crisis has put a strain on hospital workers, paramedics, first responders and ambulance services who find themselves with more work. They are required to be alert to emergencies caused by opioid abuse and addiction. In this modern world, young people have started using heroin for entertainment-related activities, due to which federal and state governments have implemented policies aimed at combating the opioid crisis. Health and Human Services (HHS) has designated heroin addiction in the United States as a public health emergency. The Health and Human Services (HHS) statement aims to create awareness about addiction to heroin and other opium-based substances and examine how to address the habit and minimize homelessness. Today, the state of opioid abuse in the United States (US) can be characterized as a public health emergency. Because opioid poisoning and overdoses affect all demographics, research conducted by medical specialists serving the homeless and those living in shabby housing units indicates that this group is susceptible to both opioid overdoses and use disorders of opioids. These people have limited access to drug therapy and overdose prevention treatment. The threat is most prevalent in Colorado. The state sees an increased rate of homelessness and illicit drug use compared to other states. Prescription substances like oxycodone are more expensive and rare to find, while heroin is also easily accessible and affordable. Many opioid users prefer opioids, which are mixed with carfentanil and fentanyl. Users purchase opioids illicitly and mix them with carfentanil and fentanyl, which can lead to overdoses. Opioid abuse is now a national crisis as users of this substance have increased. Deaths associated with opioid abuse have tripled over the past decade. Research conducted in 2014 shows that over 2 million Americans suffered from opioid use disorders caused by overdoses of opioid allies, heroin abuse, and prescription drugs, thus accounting for over 30,000 deaths across the country. While the opioid crisis affects all genders, races, and socioeconomic statuses, the effects are most harmful, acute, and specific to people experiencing homelessness. THEOpioid use disorders have a direct link to homelessness, and opioid abuse and abuse also affects homeless people. In line with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), homelessness is experienced by people who do not have ample, static, regular nighttime shelter. However, people without permanent housing suffer from psychological disorders and drug abuse, which exacerbate their aspirations for better living environments. Considering the data collected in 2018 in the United States of America, over half a million people were facing the problem of homelessness. The data translates that out of 10,000 people, seventeen of them are homeless in the United States of America (USA). 67% of the group is made up of people without families, while the remaining 33% are people with families. The subpopulations, 7%, which include young people under the age of 25, live alone but do not have a regular home. Seven percent of veterans are also homeless; 18 percent are chronically homeless, especially disabled people who have remained homeless for a long time. The rate of homelessness is increasing among veterans and children. There are over 40,000 homeless veterans in the United States. Their numbers are slightly higher than those of homeless families and adults. Out of five veterans, three are homeless. Veterans end up using opioids to relieve stress after returning from missions. As a result, they develop opioid use disorders. They suffer negative repercussions, thus influencing their social reintegration process. As they become more and more addicted to opioids, they spend money on opioids and then end up bankrupt, becoming homeless (Han p.235). It becomes difficult to fight the habit, which leads to the purchase of heroin and other cheaper substances to relieve stress. The United States has recorded more than 400 non-combat-related deaths attributable to opioid addiction and abuse by veterans. Veterans tend to abuse prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines to relieve stress. Homeless Americans are more susceptible to premature deaths and chronic conditions than other populations (Han p. 300). The group will most likely have a high number of cases of diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and cardiovascular diseases. Over 35% of homeless residents in the United States of America suffer from psychological disorders, while over 50% suffer from opioid and substance abuse disorders. Consequently, the situation calls for the need for healthcare professionals to address the psychological conditions and initiate abstinence from opioid use. The health of homeless people is further worsened because they can quickly evaluate the quality of healthcare. Comparing homeless people to the broader U.S. population, homeless people have difficulty accessing, using, and continuing treatment. Most of them say their healthcare needs are not met for many reasons. Once again, homeless people tend to use hospital care and emergency services instead of primary care, which is preferred by the general population (Alford, p.175). Treatment for opioid abuse is rarely available to homeless people. Most rehabilitation centers do not have enough capacity, and opioid victims have to wait a long time before they can be cared for. On the other hand, the price of rehabilitation in private practices excludes homeless people because they do not have the necessary health coverage to cover the costs of therapy. Once again, other healthcare settings ask for guarantees from particular insurers to offer servicesrehabilitation. Since homeless people do not have sufficient funds to fill the right treatment prescriptions, they opt for cheaper heroin to relieve pain, as opposed to expensive prescription drugs. Health authorities in the United States have attested that there is excessive dependence on OxyContin. The drug is a prescription painkiller that has caused casualties and mortality among the homeless (Han p.295). Opioid abusers have shunned the use of heavily regulated and expensive Schedule II and Schedule III drugs for heroin, which are cheap and easy to access. Groups of homeless people end up sharing needles and other undisinfected equipment, thus increasing the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Previous research has indicated that there is a close connection between opioid addiction and homelessness. Researchers argue that homelessness can cause opioid addiction or abuse, while opioid use can lead to homelessness. In America, housing offers residents both emotional and financial security. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than half of the homeless population suffers from an opioid use disorder, a psychiatric condition, or both. It is quite clear that substance abuse and psychological disorders change personality and behavior. As a result, the lives of the homeless are further complicated. Homeless people and opioid victims often say words and do things they might not have thought of before using opioids. Cognitive change and unpredictability disturb the professional, family and social aspects of the user. Disruptions cause homelessness and strained relationships. Instead of using the money to improve living standards, it is used to purchase medicines, while disruptions in the workplace would lead to layoffs and therefore unemployment. The community socially isolates opioid users and the homeless. They end up feeling mortified to ask family and allies for help. Limited help from family and friends reduces their purchasing power to access treatment services as they can cover various costs such as transportation. In contrast, some researchers argue that opioid abuse is not the causal factor in homelessness as it is the direct result of homelessness. Reminiscent of clinical research, sometimes people turn to opioid abuse after losing shelter. Opioid addiction arises in people who come from average or affluent family backgrounds but lose their shelter due to unemployment or economic turmoil. The group turns to opioids for temporary comfort to deal with the reality of losing their home. The use of opioids becomes a habit, thus leading to unemployment, depression and stress due to the harsh realities of life. Recently, rising housing costs without substantial increases in wages in the United States have resulted in homelessness. Because they are unable to handle new trends and are limited financially, they become homeless and increase the possibility of developing the need for opioids to relieve stress. Homelessness exposes them to respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, which further increases the need to purchase opioids for pain relief. Both the federal and some state governments in the United States have come up with health plans and strategies such as permanent affordable housing, health coverage, homeless emergency centers, day shelters, alcohol rehabilitation, and halfway houses for those affected . Conversely, some homeless populations flee.