The Role of Social Ties in Recovery in a Population of Homeless Substance Abusers

Matthew D. Burkey, MD, MPH,* Yeowon A. Kim, MD, MHS,w
and William R. Breakey, MB, BCh, FRCPsych*

Substance abuse is commonly recognized as one of the central problems facing homeless people. Data on the lifetime prevalence of alcohol use disorders vary greatly, but a meta-analysis
of prevalence studies among homeless males found rates ranging from 58% to 68%. One study showed that homeless men have been found to drink excessively (>20 drinks a day) at a rate 13 times greater than that of the general population. Recurrence rates after detoxification are high in this population. The_Role_of_Social_Ties_in_Recovery_in_a.3.pdf