The Link Between Substance Abuse And Suicide

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines suicide as “death caused by self-inflicted injuries with the intention of dying.” As reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents, studies show that someone with asubstance use disorder (SUD), especially analcohol use disorder (AUD), is at 10 to 14 times greater risk of attempting suicide than someone who doesn’t have a SUD. In addition:

• 22% of suicides involve alcohol intoxication
• 20% involveopiates
• 10.2% involvemarijuana
• 4.6% involvecocaine
• 3.4% involve amphetamines

Many factors play a role in whether a person thinks about or attempts suicide. While addiction increases the risk for suicide, it is not the only risk factor. Other reasons may include stressful life events,chronic pain, experiencing trauma, and a lack of social support. When combined with substance abuse, the risk of suicide increases.

If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, you must seek help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-8255.

Are Those With An Addiction More Likely To Commit Suicide?

According to reports in Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, all categories of SUDs are associated with higher risks for suicide mortality.

Someone suffering fromalcohol,drug, andtobacco use disorders simultaneously had higher odds of suicide risk, followed by someone with an alcohol and drug use disorder. Those with only alcohol or drug use disorders were close behind in risk.

The reason addiction and suicide are linked is that substances impair cognition. Alcohol and drugs do the following:

• Impair judgment
• Reduce impulse control
• Hinder decision-making
• Interrupt neurotransmitter communication
• Loosen inhibitions
• Lead tomental health disorders

Reports also suggest that someone with an addiction and a mental health disorder is more likely to commit suicide than someone with only a mental health disorder. Suicide risk in addiction assessment, performed regularly by doctors or mental health professionals, can identify people who have thoughts or plans about suicide.

Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders, Addiction, And Suicide

Co-occurring disorders refer to someone having a mental illness and an addiction simultaneously.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), co-occurring disorders may be any combination of two or more SUDs and mental illnesses that are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

SAMHSA reports that 21.5 million Americans have a co-occurring disorder. Some of the most common mental health disorders include the following:

• Anxiety
• Major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Conduct disorders

Not everyone with a mental health disorder misuses alcohol or drugs. However, SAMSHA claims those who do typically use the following:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Opioids
• Stimulants
• Marijuana
• Hallucinogens
• Prescription drugs

In a review of studies published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, having a mental illness is a significant risk factor for suicide. Bipolar disorder,anorexia, depression, opioid misuse, and schizophrenia were found to be among the highest associated with suicide.

Substance abuse increases the severity and duration of depressive episodes, despite any temporary relief they may provide, significantly increasing the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and actions. This is exacerbated by the fact that addiction frequently damages or destroys familial, professional, personal, and financial relationships, further increasing the suicide risk in addiction. It is a cycle that must be interrupted with the help of treatment professionals experienced with addiction and suicide.

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Recognizing The Signs Of Suicidality In Those With Addiction

Every person who contemplates suicide is dramatically different, as are the warning signs they exhibit. Some exhibit many warning signs for an extended period before falling victim to suicide, while others exhibit essentially no outward warning signs.

Any one person will rarely show a full range of warning signs, and many who do exhibit warning signs never attempt suicide. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, warning signs for suicide include:

• Feeling hopeless, worthless, guilty, or ashamed
• Feeling like a burden to others
• Increasing alcohol or drug use
• Losing interest in appearance
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Giving away personal or meaningful items
• Expressing rage
• Acting erratically
• Changing eating or sleeping patterns
• Talking about or planning suicide

Small, unhealthy, or unusual changes typically begin occurring when someone first starts misusing alcohol or drugs. Acting early can prevent the warning signs listed here from happening.

How To Help Someone With An Addiction Who Is Suicidal

Knowing the warning signs of suicidality is a significant first step, which you can follow with the following steps suggested by the National Institute of Mental Health:

• Start the conversation. Be direct and ask them if they have thoughts of suicide.
• Listen without judgment. Continue the conversation and be there for them.
• Help them stay safe by keeping them away from items they could use to carry out a suicide.
• Help them connect with national hotlines or community resources.
• Stay in touch with them after treatment to provide ongoing support.

Someone with an addiction who is also suicidal needs to find reasons to live. You can help by building a trusting relationship and helping them enter treatment with qualified professionals. In treatment, they will learn how to be resilient, build a support system, gain clarity, learn about the disease of addiction, engage with peers, and create anaftercare plan to help them achieve success in recovery.

You can start the conversation about addiction and suicide and treatment long before you notice severe warning signs. Doing so will help reduce the stigma about suicide, encouraging someone to reach out for help.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention is something that should be implemented by numerous resources, from families, schools, healthcare, the government, and employers. The CDC reports that a comprehensive approach should include the following.

Strengthen Economic Support

Financial troubles, unstable housing, and fears of not being able to meet basic survival needs are some of the reasons people may consider suicide. It is crucial to help people obtain security and stability so they do not feel like there is no hope or reason for living.

Create Protective Environments

Creating protective environments means limiting a person’s access to items that could help them commit suicide. For example, guns should be locked up in secure gun safes and cases and prescription medicines should be kept out of reach.

Also, focus on helping someone get treatment for their substance use disorder before they become suicidal. Eliminating the risk of addiction can help someone have clarity and prevent them from feeling worthless or hopeless.

Improve Access And Delivery Of Suicide Care

People at risk for suicide should have better access to mental health treatment without having to worry about cost. Treatment should be available to everyone, no matter where they live. Care should be quick and accessible to those in cities and rural areas, even if it is provided virtually.

Promote Healthy Connections

Addiction is anisolating disorder, and the lack of healthy connections can lead someone to think about suicide. To overcome this problem, it is essential to help someone at risk of suicide build a positive support network. This can happen through support groups or engaging them in community activities.

Identify And Support People At Risk

Knowing the warning signs and identifying someone who may be at risk for suicide should be followed by ongoing support. It means getting them help in times of crisis and being there for them personally or as a community, both before and after an attempt, throughout treatment, and post-treatment.

Lessen Harms And Prevent Future Risks

Intervention can happen at any time, even after a suicide attempt. Continue learning about suicide, prevention, and postvention. Spread the word and help reduce the stigma.

One of the most critical steps in suicide prevention is overcoming addiction and getting sober. This can help alleviate depression and related mental health symptoms and improve short-term judgment. It will also allow mental health professionals to more accurately assess and diagnose any underlying mental health concerns so that they can be appropriately treated.

How To Find A Rehab For A Co-Occurring Disorder

When searching for quality co-occurring disorder treatment, you can take specific steps to ensure you uncover all of your options. Think of the process as an interview for who you will hire to provide the services you need. In any interview, you must ask the right questions, such as:

• What are the credentials of the providers who will work with you?
• Do they offer a full mental health and addiction assessment?
• Do they create individualized treatment plans that meet your unique needs?
• Do they providemedications to ease withdrawal symptoms?
• Do they use science-based behavioraltherapies, and if so, which ones?
• Do they use alternative or holistic complementary strategies?
• Do they help you create an aftercare plan before leaving rehab?

If contacting treatment facilities on your own feels overwhelming, ask your family physician for a referral. You may also want to contact local mental health or substance abuse treatment providers in your community for a referral. Most counties have a drug and alcohol agency, often referred to as a behavioral health department, that can guide you through the process. You can also explore ourrehab directory to search by location, preferred level of care, and insurance provider.

When To Seek Help

If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, you must seek help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-8255.

Don’t wait for the warning signs to grow or become more visible. Licensed mental health and substance abuse treatment professionals can assess your substance abuse and mental health to determine if you need assistance. If so, they can help you find an inpatient or outpatient program that suits your lifestyle and meets your needs.

The key is to avoid waiting.Reach out to a treatment provider today to explore your treatment options.