As Alcohol Awareness Week gets underway 7 to 13 July, Bury Drop In is urging people to reflect on the link between alcohol misuse and homelessness. This year’s theme, “alcohol and work”, speaks directly to what frontline volunteers at Bury Drop In see every day: individuals who turn to alcohol not as a lifestyle choice, but as a means of survival. Homelessness, substance dependence and mental health often exist in a cycle, where each can be both a cause and a consequence of the other. The stress and instability of homelessness may lead to substance misuse, while substance misuse can create significant barriers to maintaining housing and employment.

National statistics indicate that approximately one in three individuals experiencing homelessness struggle with alcohol dependency and mental health issues caused by severe trauma. In Bury St Edmunds, that number is echoed in the stories shared by the dozens of guests who use the Drop In’s services each week. Over the last year, 38% of our guests received support from local agencies including NHS Health Outreach for alcohol and substance misuse.

Despite the scale of the issue, support can still be hard to access. Stigma, isolated services and lack of affordable housing create a cycle that’s difficult to escape.

Bury Drop In continues to support those experiencing homelessness or vulnerably housed in West Suffolk, offering a home cooked meal in a safe place, signposting to key services including West Suffolk Council Rough Sleeper Service, NHS Health Outreach and the Samaritans and providing emergency provisions such as tents, sleeping bags, toiletries, and food vouchers every Tuesday and Friday. Please help us to continue providing support to our guests with addiction issues, as well as housing and health. Visit our donate webpage to make a donation.