The causes range from metal-related illnesses, domestic violence, substance abuse, unemployment and many other growing problems. Unemployment is a major cause because without work you have no source of income and cannot afford to pay for food, housing, utilities or clothing. Some homeless people fall into bad situations, such as abusing substances such as drugs, alcohol, sex and/or gambling. They become addicted to it and want more and more, because they like the feeling and the way it makes them look. They become so caught up in substance abuse that they lose the life they once lived and lose their entire home, job, family, and so much more, rendering them homeless. Some are born with a mental illness and can't do anything about it. For example, war veterans return with post-dramatic stress that makes it difficult for them to find jobs and other help, forcing them to become homeless. Others have evolved into domestic violence and believe that it is better to be homeless on the streets than to be beaten, raped or abused. Many people don't realize that these factors play a role in homelessness and simply assume that they are homeless