Suicide and Substance Use Disorder

Suicide is a huge issue and one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life, it can be intentional or unintentional. The impact of suicide is far-reaching. It extends past the person who committed the act and impacts all the loved ones left behind. It has a deep impact on friends, family, and the community. They have to go on living their daily life with a newly created black hole that takes the place of their loved one.

Addiction and suicide are serious issues. According to the Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 in 12 adults has a substance use disorder and more than 41,000 people in the United States die each year as a result of suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death among people who misuse alcohol and drugs. Opioids such as prescription painkillers and heroin are found in 20 percent of people who commit suicide and about 22 percent of deaths by suicide involved alcohol intoxication.

Causes of Suicide

The dark grip of suicide can reach anyone. However, there are certain factors that lead to an increased risk of suicide, but suicide is rarely caused by a single factor. These factors include, but are not limited to having depression and other mental health disorders, experiencing chronic pain, attempted suicide in the past, alcohol or drug use disorders, family history of alcohol or drug use disorders, and a family history of suicide.

Substance use increases the risk of suicidal behavior. Drug use, no matter how much or how little, impairs judgment, weakens impulse controls, and interrupts neurotransmitter pathways. All of these negative consequences of drug addiction can result in suicidal tendencies.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs mentioned that people with opioid use disorder are 13 times more likely to die by suicide than those who do not have the disorder. Further, people who are on prescription opioid pills and have co-occurring psychiatric conditions are at an increased risk for suicide as well. For example, people are addicted to opioids and who experience depression, anxiety disorder, and personality disorders are at an increased risk of committing suicide.

Suicide Warning Signs

In the event that you suspect that a loved one is thinking about committing suicide, there are some warning signs to keep an eye out for. These warning signs include buying a gun, stocking up on pills, increased substance or alcohol use, expressing hopelessness, speaking about suicide or wanting to kill oneself, feeling empty or like there is no reason to live, increased anxiety or agitation, increased anger, sleeping too much or too little, extreme mood swings, withdrawal from family and friends, making a plan to kill oneself, talking about being a burden, and saying goodbye to loved ones. However, not all people show warning signs that they are going to commit suicide. Some people try to hide their suicidal thoughts which makes it more difficult to see what they are thinking about doing.

Suicide Prevention

Therefore, being equipped with suicide prevention knowledge is an essential tool to ensure you or your loved one remains safe. If you or someone you know is exhibiting the warning signs for suicide, get help immediately. If it is an emergency call 911. If not, there are a number of suicide preventive steps that can be taken.

One step you can take is to ask the person if they are experiencing suicidal thoughts and want to kill themself. This question is not an easy one to ask but is important to open the door for them to feel comfortable speaking about their suicidal thoughts.

Another step is to do your best to keep your loved one safe. Although uncomfortable, inquire if they have a plan to commit suicide and remove any items that they could use to hurt themself. This is the best way to ensure that they do not have the tools they need to commit the act.

Further, it can also help to stay with them and listen to the reasons why they feel the way they do. For a lot of people talking about their problems makes them feel better. It can make them feel heard and understood, knowing someone cares. Talking about suicide can actually reduce their suicidal thoughts.

Getting Help

Another critical step in suicide prevention is to get yourself or a loved one help. In the event that you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, it’s crucial to get yourself or your loved one help. There are various resources that can help such as calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1a800a273a8255) or texting the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) as well as getting yourself or a loved one in touch with a rehabilitation program to overcome the suicidal thoughts and drug addiction.

Substance use disorder and suicidal ideation tend to go hand in hand. A high-quality rehabilitation clinic can help someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts because of their drug addiction problem. They will provide ongoing care that is focused on a person’s safety and suicide prevention. Rehab clinics can offer trained mental health counselors that can teach coping and problem-solving skills to help people manage challenges. Further, they can provide safe and supportive environments that offer activities that bring people together so they feel connected and not alone.

Even after the immediate threat seems to have passed it is important to follow up with a loved one to ensure that they are still doing well and make sure they are not thinking about harming themself. Knowing someone cares makes a world of difference and can reduce the chances that a loved one will attempt to harm themself again.

References

• A closer look at substance use and suicide. The American Journal of Psychiatry.
• Opioid use and suicide risk. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
• Perspectives in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Suicide and Suicide Attempts by the Nonmeidal Use of Drugs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Overdose and adverse drug event experiences among adult patients in the emergency room. Addictive Behaviors.
• Recovery in a Quiet and Welcoming Environment. Sunshine Behavioral Health.
• Substance use and suicide: A nexus Requiring a public health approach. SAMHSA.
• Suicide. MedlinePlus.
• Suicide deaths are a major component of the opioid crisis that must be addressed. National Institute of Mental Health.
• Suicide prevention. National Institute of Mental Health.
• Suicide rising across the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.