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Addiction

Characteristics of Adults with Addictions and Mental Health Problems Who Have Experienced Homelessness

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry sought to understand the characteristics of individuals with addictions and other mental health (AMH) conditions who had a history of homelessness compared to those who did not. The research, conducted in Alberta, Canada, analyzed linked administrative data from April 1, 2018, and found that individuals experiencing homelessness (PEH) were younger, more likely to have a history of visiting a psychiatrist, and had greater healthcare utilization.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that among 622,614 individuals with AMH conditions, 3,390 (0.54%) had an indicator of homelessness.
  • People experiencing homelessness were more likely to have a history of visiting a psychiatrist (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 8.11, 95% CI [7.47-8.80]), having an emergency department visit for AMH reasons (AOR = 25.44, 95% CI [22.94-28.21]), and to have been hospitalized for AMH reasons (AOR = 13.53, 95% CI [12.61-14.52]).
  • The study concluded that individuals who have experienced homelessness require more intensive mental health and general medical services integrated with housing and additional social support systems.
  • The research highlighted the complex mental health needs of this group, with increased AMH complexity, greater healthcare utilization, and a greater likelihood of almost all AMH disorders.
  • The study's findings were based on linked administrative data from Alberta, Canada, on April 1, 2018, and were funded by various organizations, including the Calgary Health Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Statistics:

  • 0.54% of individuals with AMH conditions had an indicator of homelessness.
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness were younger with a mean age of 39 years compared to 42 years for individuals without homelessness.
  • 8.11 times more likely to have a history of visiting a psychiatrist for individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • 25.44 times more likely to have had an emergency department visit for AMH reasons for individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • 13.53 times more likely to have been hospitalized for AMH reasons for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Sources:

  • Characteristics of Adults With Addictions and Mental Health Problems Who Have Experienced Homelessness: a Population-based Study From Alberta, Canada. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2025.
  • Calgary Health Foundation
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
  • Alberta Innovates
  • Leroy H. Le Riche Endowment from the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary
  • Mathison Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, University of Calgary
  • Calgary Health foundation
  • Ontario Brain Institute
  • University of Calgary, Dept. of Psychiatry, Calgary, Ab, Canada
  • Sage Publications Inc, 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA

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