[Serious] Redditors who were once homeless, what was the scariest/creepiest part about being out in the streets?

Not going to link anything because lazy, but I've read that most homeless people aren't permanently homeless. Usually it's just a period of bad luck and most get a break and get off the street, or cycle between on the street and having a place.

I dated a well put together man once who eventually told me he used to be homeless - like on the street homeless. He was an Iraq war veteran (marine) that suffered a permanent traumatic brain injury. He had a steady supply of pills from the VA for the constant pain. He became addicted and eventually ended up on the streets for 3 months or so. He told me some stories. Absolutely horrible. Sad thing is, he said at the time it wasn't so bad because as long as he was high he was "happy". He eventually was arrested for some small reason and spent 6 months in jail (not prison). Got clean while locked up, finished his degree once he got out, became a normal, productive member of society and eventually helped start a non profit that's actually doing some pretty cool stuff.

When I met him he had been clean for many years. In fact, I was drawn to him for how put together and responsible he was. You would have never guessed that this clean cut, smart, respectable, handsome, financially sound man had once been on the streets.

/r/AskReddit Thread Parent