homelessness and addictions

to sleep on the streets

to sleep on the street because you don’t have a home

sleep rough

to sleep outside because you have no home and no money

rough sleeper

someone who sleeps on the streets because they have no home

tramp

a person with no home, job, or money who travels around and asks for money from other people

night shelter

a place providing accommodation for the homeless at night.

bed and breakfast

a room to sleep in for the night and a morning meal, or a private house or small hotel offering this

soup kitchen

a place where free soup or other food is given to people with no money or no home

shelter

something that gives protection, such as a building or tent, or the protection provided

begging

to ask for food or money because you are poor

to indulge in

to allow yourself or another person to have something enjoyable, especially more than is good for you

addict

a person who cannot stop doing or using something, especially something harmful

addicted

unable to stop taking drugs, or doing something as a habit

addiction

an inability to stop doing or using something, especially something harmful

behaviour

the way that someone behaves

dependence

the situation in which you need something or someone all the time, especially in order to continue existing or operating

enjoyable

An enjoyable event or experience gives you pleasure

hooked

enjoying something so much that you are unable to stop having it, watching it, doing it, etc.

to neglect

to not give enough care or attention to people or things that are your responsibility

recovery

the process of becoming well again after an illness or injury

substance

material with particular physical characteristics

symptom

any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease

taking drugs

to use drugs

compulsion

a very strong feeling of wanting to do something repeatedly that is difficult to control

to alter

to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change

withdrawal

Withdrawal also means the physical and mental effects experienced when a person stops using a drug

Physical addiction

is a biological condition where the body adapts to a substance—such as drugs, alcohol, or nicotine—due to repeated use, causing it to become necessary for daily functioning.

Psychological addiction

is a mental and motional compulsion to use a substance or engage in a behavior (such as gambling or gaming) to feel pleasure, alleviate stress, or function normally. Unlike physical addiction, it focuses on mental cravings, anxiety, and perceived needs rather than physical withdrawal symptoms.

craving

a strong feeling of wanting something

Spark off

to cause, initiate, or trigger something to start suddenly, often referring to arguments, protests, or a series of events

self-esteem

belief and confidence in your own ability and value, respect for yourself

to block something out

to prevent the ability to receive or remember something, to stop yourself from thinking about an unpleasant memory because it upsets you

Recover from

to return to a normal, healthy, or stable state after a physical illness, injury, shock, or negative experience

cure, beat, overcome, treat an addiction

to stop the addiction

illicit (drugs)

illegal or disapproved of by society

prescribed (drugs)

decided by a doctor as treatment

exhaustion

the state of being extremely tired

to inhale

to breathe air, smoke, or gas into your lungs

dependent

needing the support of something or someone in order to continue existing or operating

withdrawal symptoms

the unpleasant physical reaction that accompanies the process of ceasing to take an addictive drug

to crave

to have a very strong feeling of wanting something

substance abuse

the regular use of illegal or harmful drugs

to trigger an addiction

something that causes that you crave a substance you are addicted to

tolerance

ability not to be harmed by a drug or poison over a long period of time

intolerance of something

the condition of not being able to eat a particular type of food or take a particular type of medicine without it having a bad effect

compulsive

doing something a lot and unable to stop doing it

to kick the habit

to give up something harmful that you have done for a long time

to go cold turkey

If someone goes cold turkey, they completely and suddenly stop taking a drug or other substance that they depend on.

sober

not having had an alcoholic drink or taken drugs for a period of time

sobriety

the state of being sober

relapse

to return to a previous bad condition or a worse way of life after making an improvement

recreational drug

a drug taken for pleasure

short-lived

it only lasts for a short time

rush

is also a sudden strong emotion or physical feeling

euphoria

extreme happiness, sometimes more than is reasonable in a particular situation

prolonged (use)

continuing for a long time

long-term

continuing to exist or have an effect for a long time into the future

infection

a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body

overdose

too much of a drug taken or given at one time, either intentionally or by accident

domestic violence

the situation in which someone you live with attacks you and tries to hurt you

regular user

someone who takes drugs frequently

to be in the tise

increasing

dealer

a person who sells illegal drugs

maximum penalty

the most amount of money, imprisonment …. someone can legally get

possession

the fact that you have or own something

to supply

to provide something that is wanted or needed, often in large quantities and over a long period of time

Drug trafficking

selling, transporting, or importing illegal drugs

gain popularity

to become more popular, more well-known

peer pressure

the strong influence of a group, especially of children, on members of that group to behave as everyone else does

Getting stoned

becoming intoxicated by cannabis (marijuana). It describes the psychoactive effects of the drug

therapeutic

relating to the curing of a disease or medical condition

to consume drugs

to take drugs

nicotine

a poisonous chemical, found in tobacco, that is addictive

tar

one of the poisonous substances found in tobacco

tobacco-free

without tobacco