Man holding alcohol drink
Alcohol abuse and getting drunk can put you at higher risk of committing suicide. That’s especially true if you already suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts. Here’s how alcohol and suicide are linked and why you should seek treatment if you’re concerned.
Alcohol use has been prevalent for thousands of years, and suicide takes over a million lives globally every year. Unfortunately, both have been increasing in recent years. The link between alcohol and suicide is startling. Recognizing the connection may help many people understand the urgency of seeking help when suicidal thoughts come along with alcohol use. At a time like that, it’s critical to get help to prevent suicide.
Alcohol use can take several forms. A large percentage of the population does use alcohol. In a 2018 NIH survey, 86.3% of people said they had used alcohol in their lifetime. Perhaps it’s more surprising, though, that 55.3% said they had used alcohol in the past month. The same survey showed that 26.6% of respondents had engaged in binge drinking in the past month. What’s more, about 88,000 people die from causes that are related to alcohol each year, and 31% of driving fatalities are related to alcohol.
As for suicide, the statistics are grim. According to a report shown on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention site, 45,979 Americans died by committing suicide in 2020. This made suicide the 12th leading cause of death in this country. In addition, there were about 1.20 million suicide attempts in that year.
The question, “Can alcohol make you suicidal?” has been the subject of many research studies over the years. Studies have shown connections between alcohol and suicide risk for many decades. Earlier studies typically examined alcohol and suicidal ideation or non-lethal suicidal behaviors. However, a recent study reported by the NIH showed an even stronger connection with not only thoughts and behaviors but also with completed suicides.
Therefore, links have been fairly well established between alcohol and suicide risk. With this fact in mind, it makes sense to seek help when suicidal thoughts come during or after drinking alcohol.
Although suicidal ideation doesn’t always culminate in completed suicide, it can be a part of the process that leads up to suicide. So, what is the connection between alcohol and suicidal ideation?
Sometimes, people drink alcohol to dull their thoughts of suicide. However, in the long term, these suicidal ideations become more frequent and severe. Ultimately, once people abuse alcohol and suicidal ideations follow, they get increasingly closer to attempting suicide.
There do seem to be links between many use patterns of alcohol and suicide. Yet, why is this so? What are the reasons for it? Here are some of the possibilities.
You may have heard alcohol called “liquid courage.” People often use it when they are in an uncomfortable social situation or before they face a major confrontation or test. Suppose you had suicidal ideations but felt fearful about completing the act. In that case, you might drink alcohol to take away your inhibitions and strengthen your resolve.
The problem is that alcohol can lead to poor judgment, impulsive actions, and a complete loss of inhibition. What you would never do when you were thinking clearly, you might do under the influence of alcohol. Thus, it’s important not to wait to seek assessment and treatment. If you are having suicidal thoughts and have been drinking or planning to, get help now. At Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, we can respond quickly to keep you safe from harm.
Some people may not really be having overt suicidal ideation before alcohol kills them. Instead, the alcohol may cause them to engage in risky or impulsive behavior. When sober, they understand the risks and avoid actions like speeding or reckless driving. They may stay away from many places and activities where danger is present. Yet, alcoholism and suicide can go together because alcohol increases your impulsivity, they do these things and go to these places without worry or fear.
Often, people with certain mental disorders use alcohol in an attempt to manage their symptoms. This self-medication use of alcohol is common for people with mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder, anxiety, and psychotic disorders, to name a few.
Yet, for people who struggle with alcoholism and suicide, getting drunk presents an increased threat to their mental health. Their mental condition is already fragile, and they may be prone to suicide before they start drinking. The alcohol simply magnifies the suicidal thoughts and may lead to suicide attempts.
Since alcohol and suicide can be so closely related, it’s important to seek treatment immediately if you are concerned. Treatment for suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors along with alcoholism is called dual diagnosis treatment. Some signs that you likely need this type of treatment for alcoholism and suicide include:
If these signs sound familiar from your own life, seek help for yourself now. If someone in your life is displaying signs of suicidal thoughts while abusing alcohol, take steps to help them get the treatment they need. Time can be critical, so don’t hesitate to help and seek expert advice.
Yes, alcohol consumption can increase suicidal thoughts by affecting brain chemistry, lowering inhibitions, and intensifying depression and other mental health issues.
Alcohol can exacerbate mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, impair judgment, and increase impulsiveness, all of which can contribute to suicidal behavior.
Studies have shown a significant link between alcohol abuse and higher suicide rates. Individuals struggling with alcohol dependence are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior.
Warning signs include increased talk of hopelessness or death, dramatic mood changes, withdrawal from friends and family, risky behavior, and heavy or escalating alcohol use.
It’s important to seek professional help from a mental health provider or substance abuse counselor. Treatment may include therapy, medication, support groups, and in some cases, inpatient rehabilitation.
More than anything, patients need to know that they will receive the best possible care. It’s important to remember that the care you need today may be different from the care you need tomorrow. There are many types of therapy available at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, so reach out if you need assistance in the Middle Point, Ohio area.
Call (419) 949-8590 to speak with one of our treatment specialists and learn more about our programs. Take our 😍 Mental Health Assessment or our 🧐 Addiction Test.
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