Aside from the utilization of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment programs, little is know about the factors associated with public sector service use among homeless individuals with and without alcohol and drug disorders. This study, funded by NIAAA, examines predictors of the quantity of non-AOD service use among homeless adults with any contact with each of the following sectors: physical health care, mental health care, income support, and the criminal justice system. The study involves secondary analyses of data collected in an NIMH-funded study of homeless adults sampled in shelters and streets of Houston, Texas. Data were collected in 90-minute structured interviews with 797 homeless adults. Information on service use by each of these individuals over the prior three-year period was then obtained through searches of each system’s administrative data files and linked to the interview data. This study focuses on identifying the impact of demographic, need, and eligibility-related factors on utilization for those with and without an AOD problem. In addition, it examines whether and how AOD treatment impacts utilization in each sector. Preliminary results indicate that, adjusting for eligibility factors, key aspects of need are significant predictors of amount of utilization among those without an AOD problem, but not for those with an AOD problem. AOD problems appear to mask need or otherwise act as a barrier to negotiating public service systems.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session participants will be able to:
Keywords: Mental Disorders, Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.