Alcohol and Suicide

Nowadays, drinking is as much a part of American culture as apple pie and lemonade. From social get-togethers to dorm room keggers to that much-coveted, after-work martini, alcohol holds a special place in many people’s daily lifestyles. Despite the wide acceptance of this practice, the harmful effects of alcohol and excessive drinking still remain. This is especially the case with alcohol and suicide, where a direct relationship exists.

Alcohol ranks number one as the most commonly abused substance. When left untreated, alcoholism progresses along a downward spiral of physical and mental decline. These are prime conditions for suicidal thoughts and behaviors to take root and more often than not, mental health problems contribute to this process. Keep reading to see what factors play into the link between alcoholism and suicide.

Alcohol and Suicide Statistics

• On average, a suicide event happens every 40 seconds
• An estimated 90 percent of people in the United States have consumed alcohol at some point in their lifetimes
• As much as 50 percent of Americans consume alcohol on a regular basis
• Heavy drinkers are fives times more likely to die by suicide
• 12 to 15 percent of Americans meet the clinical criteria for alcohol dependence
• Individuals struggling with alcoholism are 120 times more likely to commit suicide than non-alcohol dependent people
• According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, the risk of death by suicide increases 10 to 14 times for people with alcohol dependence
• 22 percent of deaths by suicide involve alcohol intoxication

Contributing Factors That Increase Suicide Risk

Health Factors

Health problems can take a toll on your mental and emotional stability. Serious medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia cause symptoms of pain and discomfort that don’t go away. Under these conditions, it’s not uncommon for someone to turn to alcohol as a means of relief. Medical problems like these also tend to breed depression, which only fuels drinking behaviors and suicide risk.

On the flip-side, the harmful effects of long-term alcohol abuse can just as easily cause serious medical problems to develop. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, a causal relationship exists between alcohol consumption and 60 types of diseases and injuries, such as liver cancer, epilepsy, and injuries caused by car accidents. In effect, health problems and alcohol dependence can form their own vicious cycle that poses an increased risk for suicide.

Mental Health Factors

Mental health factors play a pivotal role in promoting excessive drinking and suicide risk. In fact, substance use disorder and mental health problems tend to go hand-in-hand with one condition feeding into the other. According to the Indiana University Center for Health Policy, as much as 50 percent of people struggling with substance use disorder also suffer from one or more mental health problems, a few of which include:

• Depression-based disorders
• Anxiety-based disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder

Alcohol and suicidal behavior can also be aggravated by environmental stressors. Knowing someone who committed suicide, especially a loved one, can increase a person’s risk of attempting suicide if he or she drinks excessively on a regular basis. Crisis situations, such as job loss, the death of a loved one or a traumatic event, such as domestic abuse can also place an individual at an increased risk of suicide when alcoholism is present.

Signs to Watch For

While a long-term pattern of excessive drinking can increase the risk of suicide, even a single binge episode may encourage suicidal behavior in someone who’s in emotional distress. Since drinking, in general, reduces inhibitions and impulse control, the risk for self-harm increases considerably when mental or emotional problems are at work. Ultimately, alcohol and suicide risk can coexist for different reasons that vary from person to person.

Signs to watch for will likely show up in a person’s behavior. Keep in mind it’s not always easy to spot someone’s intentions as many individuals who reach this point remain quiet about their feelings. Signs that you should be able to spot include:

• Dangerous or risky behaviors that endanger a person’s life, such as drunk driving or even unsafe sexual practices
• A history of previous suicide attempts coupled with ongoing alcohol dependence
• Talking about suicide, even in a joking manner, while under the influence
• Talk about feelings of hopelessness while intoxicated

The Need for Treatment Help

The close relationship between alcohol and suicide makes the harmful effects of substance use disorder and addiction all the more dangerous. When left untreated, alcohol dependence will evolve into a full-blown addiction. In like manner, the damaging effects of alcoholism on the mind, body, and emotions create the types of conditions that make suicide possible.

If you suspect you or someone you know has a drinking problem and is contemplating suicide, don’t hesitate to seek out treatment help. Today, there are several treatment options available that specifically address the needs of individuals struggling with substance use disorder and mental health problems. Contact a specialist today for more information on available treatment options.

  Sources –

• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov –  Suicidal Online – “Alcohol Use and Suicidal Behaviors among Adults: A Synthesis and Theoretical Model”
• psychiatryonline.org – The American Journal of Psychiatry – “A Closer Look at Substance Use Disorder and Suicide”
• pubs.niaaa.nih.gov – National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Alcohol and Tolerance”
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health, “Suicidal Behavior and Alcohol Abuse”
• fsph.iupui.edu – Indiana University Center for Health Policy- “Mental Health, Substance Misuse, and Suicide: Shared Risk and Protective Factors”