How drugs and alcohol can affect housing stability, and what you can do about it
Addiction and Housing
Drug and alcohol addiction doesn’t just impact your body or mind — it can also affect your relationships, your ability to work, your finances, and ultimately, your housing. In the UK, addiction is both a cause and a consequence of homelessness.
For many people, homelessness didn’t start because of drug or alcohol use. But once substance use becomes part of someone’s life, it can make existing problems worse. It becomes harder to manage daily responsibilities, keep accommodation stable, or maintain a tenancy.
How Addiction Can Affect Housing Stability
Here are some of the main ways drugs or alcohol can affect someone’s ability to keep their housing:
- Loss of Employment and Income:
Substance misuse can lead to losing your job due to lateness, poor performance, or other work-related issues. Without a regular income, keeping up with rent, bills, and daily essentials becomes a real struggle.
- Broken Relationships:
Addiction can place huge strain on relationships with partners, family, and friends. Many people end up sofa surfing or sleeping rough after falling out with loved ones because of repeated arguments, broken trust, or unsafe behaviour.
- Risk of Eviction:
Landlords and housing providers — including supported housing — often have clear policies about rent payments, behaviour, and substance use. If these are broken, it can lead to warnings, tenancy breaches, or even eviction.
- Mental and Physical Health Decline:
Long-term use of drugs or alcohol can seriously affect your mental health, hygiene, and ability to manage your home. You might become withdrawn, depressed, or too unwell to keep on top of daily tasks — all of which can impact your tenancy.
- Repeat Homelessness:
Even when someone is successfully rehoused, if the root issues such as addiction or trauma aren’t addressed, they may struggle to manage their tenancy and could find themselves homeless again. This cycle of repeat homelessness is sadly very common, and it becomes harder to break without the right support.
- Money Management Becomes Even Harder:
Managing money is already difficult with the cost of living going up — rent, food, energy and transport are more expensive than ever. But when someone is using drugs or alcohol, it becomes even harder to budget or make decisions about money. This often leads to:
- Spending large parts of income on substances
- Falling behind on rent or bills
- Borrowing money or getting into debt
- Focusing on short-term relief instead of long-term stability
Without support, this financial spiral can quickly lead to eviction or make it harder to move on from temporary housing.
The Bigger Picture: Trauma, Poverty and Survival
It’s important to remember that addiction is rarely just about the substance. For many, it’s a way to cope with something deeper — whether that’s trauma, poor mental health, abuse, loss, or life on the margins.
People don’t set out to become addicted. Often, it’s about survival. But what starts as a coping mechanism can turn into something that causes even more problems.
What If You Think Someone You Care About Is Struggling?
If you’re worried that a loved one might be misusing drugs or alcohol, here are a few steps you can take:
- Start a calm, non-judgemental conversation
Try saying: “You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Is everything okay?” - Avoid blame or shame
Addiction is already loaded with guilt and stigma. Being kind and concerned is more effective than being critical. - Encourage them to get help
Let them know that support is out there and they don’t have to go through it alone. - Set boundaries if needed
You can love someone and still protect your own wellbeing. It’s okay to say no to behaviour that puts you at risk.
Where to Get Help
If you or someone you care about is struggling, here are some organisations that can help:
FRANK (National Drugs Helpline)
Website: www.talktofrank.com
Phone: 0300 123 6600 (24/7)
Text: 82111
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Phone: 0800 917 7650
Cranstoun
A national charity offering free, confidential support for drug and alcohol use
Website: www.cranstoun.org
Phone: 0300 303 8200
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Website: www.ukna.org
Phone: 0300 999 1212
Turning Point
A national organisation supporting people with addiction and mental health challenges
Website: www.turning-point.co.uk
Recovery Is Possible
Every single day, people rebuild their lives. They reconnect with loved ones, secure stable housing, return to work or education, and discover who they really are — without needing substances to cope.
If you’re reading this and struggling yourself, please know: you are not alone. There is help. There is hope. And there is always a way forward.
