There is a lot of worry and fear when a loved one struggles with drug or alcohol Addiction. The likelihood of severe accidents or overdoses is at the forefront of those worries. The risk of Suicide, however, is another pervasive and all-too-common problem connected to addiction.

Despite the fact that mental health disorders are associated with a higher risk of suicide, studies have revealed an unmistakable and dangerous connection between addiction and suicide.

Everyone occasionally has a bad night’s sleep, whether it be due to a bad dream, tossing and turning, or worrying about an upcoming event. Even though a few sleepless nights are common, it might be harder for those in recovery to get a good night’s sleep.

Analyzing the Data

In the United States, suicide claims the lives of more than 39,000 people annually, according to SAMHSA. That works out to 108 suicides every day on average. According to additional data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), suicide is the tenth most common cause of death in the country, and addicts are six times more likely to commit suicide than non-addicts.

While alcohol and drug abuse, even without a diagnosis of Depression, come in a close second, depression and other mood disorders are the leading risk factor for suicide. In fact, studies have shown that alcoholism, rather than a psychiatric diagnosis, is the best predictor of suicide.

Addiction not only makes it more likely for a person to commit suicide, but the illness itself is also used as a means of suicide. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that alcohol or opiates, most commonly oxycodone or heroin, are to blame for one in three suicide deaths. Drugs account for 75% of suicide deaths by poisoning, which is the third most common method used in suicide deaths.

How Mental Health Plays a Part ?

The connection between depression and addiction has come into the spotlight as a result of news of Robin Williams’ suicide. The actor has previously been open about his battles with clinical depression and addiction as well as his ongoing treatment initiatives. Treatment for both disorders is crucial because depression is three to four times more common in addicts than in the general population.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, the president of the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, “If you only treat the depression without treating the chemical dependency, you won’t be successful in really helping the person.”

According to the Epidemiologic Catchment Area study by the National Institute on Health, a third of suicide victims also have a diagnosable mental illness in addition to a substance abuse disorder. In addition, the study found that women who were alcohol dependent had rates of depression that were four times higher than those of alcoholic men and three times higher than those of the general population.

Suicide and addiction

Suicidal behavior is influenced by substance abuse issues in a number of ways. For instance, alcoholics have a risk of suicide that is more than five times higher than that of non-alcoholics. Alcoholism is actually directly connected to about 50% of all suicides, according to data. Additionally, addicts become more impulsive when under the influence or going through withdrawal, which increases their risk of attempting suicide and may decrease their likelihood of seeking assistance.

Fortunately, there are a number of successful prevention initiatives that lower the risk of youth substance abuse, as well as successful treatments for alcohol and drug use issues. Treatments are currently being tested specifically for people with substance abuse issues who are suicidal or have previously attempted suicide.

Proactively Preventing Suicide

If a loved one is expressing suicidal threats, discussing suicide, or making concrete plans, the situation needs to be handled right away. Avoid abandoning the person or delaying seeking assistance.

Take away any weapons, substances, or sharp objects that could be used for self-harm.

Take your loved one to the emergency room or a psychiatric hospital.

Addiction is a challenging obstacle to overcome on an emotional, psychological, and physical level. When children are involved, the sacrifices needed to begin and successfully complete rehabilitation can be a challenging situation.

Sometimes enrolling in a rehab facility can seem like an impossibility for single parents. The cost of the treatment is high. Single parents frequently run the social risk of having their kids placed in foster care. And if that’s not enough, there’s also the nagging concern of who will be in charge of the kids for a protracted period of time. These are all legitimate worries that bring to light the stark reality of single parents who are presently battling addiction.

Many rehab facilities provide aftercare services to aid clients in keeping their sobriety for the rest of their lives. Aftercare resources for patients include relapse prevention groups, transitional housing, and one-on-one counseling sessions.

Helpful Resources

Addiction Treatment Resources

Behavioral Health Program

Men’s Rehab Program

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