6.7 percent have received treatment. In addition, 623,000 adolescents (age 12–17) have AUD, only 5.2 percent of whom have received treatment. For homeless individuals, this low treat- ment estimate could mean as many as 175,000 people in the U.S. per year are not receiving treatment for AUD and are under insecure living conditions. As a self-medication drug of choice, alcohol is cheaper, more readily available, and presumed less harmful compared to alternatives. For homeless people, alcohol then becomes the easiest to use—the most common antidote for relieving stress, escaping traumatic conditions, or treating chronic pain issues. For rescue missions and similar ministries, ideal treatment for AUD might exceed an already-taxed budget and volunteer program. Successful treatment goes well beyond a 12-step program, and often includes involve- ment from the medical and psychological fields, volunteer support from peers, nutritional and housing support, help from families and com- munities, economic assistance, and occupational therapy. Yet as missions increasingly focus on life-transforma- tion, these organizations can provide ideal situations for those seeking help. Where There Is Hope O rganizations are taking a community-based approach for finding long- term treatment for alcohol addiction. Because chronic homelessness is so closely related to alcohol abuse, treat- ing both issues simultaneously proves to be more advantageous. Reversing poor economic conditions alongside treatment for poor health and chronic emotional or mental health issues, as well as cultivating spiritual growth and fellowship, has proven to have better long-term success and less propensity for relapse. Better still, collaborative housing is also proving to be a more effective treatment for addiction than abusers who don’t find collaborative housing during recovery. According to a 2015 Forbes magazine article, not only do homeless people with addictions need secure housing and income, but they also need each other. Residents in group homes tend to “co-evolve” in their recovery. Curing loneliness and low self-esteem through mutual support can go a long way toward preventing a relapse. The NIH says, “Community-based programs that coordinate with mobile outreach teams…appear to be promising approaches for helping individuals with alcohol disorders out of home- lessness and into recovery.” Even better still, many communities like San Jose and New York are actively seeking faith-based solutions to collab- orative housing programs that work to fight addiction among other issues, specifically for groups like veterans and young adults. Reaching the most vulnerable populations by building supportive group housing with strong support from the church community can have outstanding long-term impact on the homeless community that suffers from addiction. For those who suffer, having a trusted and safe community that is able to replace a dependency on alco- hol with deep spiritual fellowship may be the first chance for them to break through the stigma of their disease and help them to realize that a lifelong road of recovery is often futile without a positive, encouraging relationship with others and with God.  38 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2019 Helen lives in Loveland, Colorado, and has been a writer, editor, and online content developer for more than 20 years. She is a part of the Langham Partnership USA communications team, and works as a consultant on communications for nonprofits and ministries with Cedarstone Partners. She can be reached at htgoody@gmail.com. As a self­medication drug of choice, alcohol is cheaper, more readily available, and presumed less harmful compared to alternatives. For homeless people, alcohol then becomes the easiest to use— the most common antidote for relieving stress, escaping traumatic conditions, or treating chronic pain issues.