SUBSTANCE USE AND TREATMENT NEEDS AMONG HOMELESS PERSONS IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

A survey of 481 homeless persons in Cook County, Illinois, was conduct ed to assess the prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use in this po pulation, and potential treatment needs. Respondents were sampled at r andom in emergency and transitional shelters, soup kitchens, drop-in c enters, and single room occupancy (SRO) hotels. Approximately 30% were characterized as having alcohol-related treatment needs. A slightly s maller proportion (26.7%) were estimated to have treatment needs assoc iated with drug use behavior, and 13.5% were found to have both alcoho l and drug-related, or dual, treatment needs, Those with alcohol user treatment needs were mostly male, age 35 and older, White, and living in SRO hotels, In contrast, persons with drug user treatment needs wer e most likely male, under age 35, African-American, and found in shelt er settings. Implications for the treatment of homeless persons with s ubstance misuse problems are discussed.