Alcohol Abuse and Suicide

When people are feeling down, sad and depressed, sometimes they can think of ending their lives, considering committing to suicide. Often at times like this people may turn to alcohol as a form of stress relief. While alcohol has the capacity to numb out uncomfortable feelings in the short term, research shows that in the long term alcohol acts as a depressant, further adding to the depth of depression, sadness and the risk of self harm and suicide attempts.

Research shows that 50% of suicides are impulsive and have not demonstrated any recognizable preparation or premeditation. Suicide rates are actually increasing and the rate of recognizable signs and symptoms is decreasing. This statistic is alarming and is very prevalent in our men more so than in our women.

With high levels of aggression, suicidal thoughts and behaviours can often be increased by alcohol consumption, and such behaviours are linked with a significant life event triggers such as jealousy and argument leading to the loss of a close relationship, or being fired at work. Risky behaviours can be spontaneous, with the ability to be able to process emotion being severely hampered, by the depressive affects of alcohol.

Consuming alcohol when feeling unworthy or down is reported to triple the likelihood of a suicide attempt without any pre suicidal thoughts at all! Surveys show that 18% of this group reported suicidal attempts and this number of attempts are increased while ‘binge’ drinking.

Family, close friends, doctors and mental health workers are encouraged to be on the look out for indications of risky alcohol use by their loved ones and clients/customers.  Once identified, those at risk can be encouraged to seek out professional support with psychological teams and counsellors. Those at risk can be empowered through talk therapy with a host of skills that increase self-esteem, self worth, and generate a personal toolkit for regulating uncomfortable feelings and emotions, developing self-empowerment.

Comprehensive assessment, with specific management and follow-up are the key to developing healthy strategies to reduce alcohol consumption, increase social supports, and generate healthy self care options. Unique hidden personal skills and talents held by each individual can be teased out, identified and strengthened. With consistency, determination and practice, these identified skills can eventually turn to unconscious reflexive self-care strategies and become habits.

Are you or someone you know at risk of spontaneous suicide through excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking? Has traditional outpatient treatment been tried?  Our center for alcohol and drug treatment  relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  for alcohol and drug treatment provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.