Suicide is one of the top 10 causes of death among Americans of any age. These numbers are scary; however, the statistics are considerably worse for people who struggle with substance use disorders. At Highland Hospital Behavioral Health in Charleston, West Virginia, we provide treatment for both mental health and substance use disorders, and we want people to understand suicide and how they can help prevent deaths.
Dangerous Numbers
People with substance use issues are significantly more likely than people without them:
- to consider taking their own lives
- to plan a means of killing themselves
- to attempt suicide
- to end their own lives
In addition:
- Individuals who drink heavily are five times more likely to die by suicide than people who drink less or don’t drink at all.
- In more than 20 percent of suicides, there was alcohol in the person’s system at the time they died.
- In recent years, the number of people who died with opioids or narcotic painkillers in their system has doubled.
- Around 20 percent of suicides involve people who use heroin or prescription opioids.
- Marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamine use have also been found to raise the risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts, and completions.
Why The Numbers May Be Higher for People Addicted to Substances
There are several explanations for these statistics. Researchers have discovered that people who are struggling with substance use are also more likely to experience other things that are indicators of higher risk related to suicidal thoughts and attempts:
- Mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety
- Chronic medical conditions
- Financial problems
- Relationship troubles
- Significant trauma
It is also important to recognize the interplay between substances and these painful experiences. The person who is misusing substances may be drinking or using drugs to numb painful feelings, but the end result is often the opposite.
- Drugs and alcohol make mental health disorders worse, leading to increased distress.
- The person may experience more aggressive behaviors, resulting in legal issues.
- Their judgment may be impaired, leading to decisions they will regret later.
- They may behave more impulsively, causing them to move from considering suicide to acting upon those thoughts.
- Social stigma against people who struggle with mental illness and against people who face addiction may increase the person’s shame and decrease their likelihood of seeking help for either issue.
- If a person is struggling with chronic pain, that alone is an indicator of heightened suicide risk. They may also find it more and more difficult to find a doctor who will prescribe opioids for them, which may result in them turning to illicit substances for pain management. They may carry a high degree of self-judgment and shame, on top of their physical pain.
Signs That Someone Is Suicidal
It’s never comfortable to consider the possibility that a loved one might try to take their life. Unfortunately, in order to keep a friend or family member safe, it may require acknowledging this possibility and looking for signs that they could be at risk:
- Making written or verbal comments about death, dying or suicide – social media posts or things they say might include calling themselves a burden, indicating people would be better off without them, expressing a wish for death, or being obsessed with violence.
- Starting to gather things they could use to kill themselves – this could include alcohol or illicit substances, sharp objects, rope, prescription medications, firearms, and ammunition.
- Tying up loose ends – purchasing or researching their life insurance, making a will, giving away cherished possessions, or making arrangements for pets are examples.
- Saying goodbye as if they will never see people again.
- Expressing that they feel hopeless, trapped, or like life has no purpose – statements may involve feeling like a failure, like everything goes wrong for them, or like nothing will ever get better.
- Behavioral changes – increased impulsivity and risk-taking behavior, isolation from loved ones, changes to sleeping patterns, or self-harm behaviors.
- Experiencing a stressful event – losing a job, the end of an important relationship, the death of a loved one, or other painful life events.
For people who have been in recovery from substance use disorder, relapse can also be a red flag for suicidal thoughts, as the person may perceive this setback as a failure and proof that they cannot succeed in maintaining their recovery.
What To Do If You Believe Someone May Be Suicidal
If you witness concerning indicators that a loved one may be considering ending their life, it is important to take immediate action to ensure they are safe.
- Ask them if they have had thoughts of ending their life.
- Do not leave them alone if their answer makes you concerned.
- Attempt to find out how they are considering killing themselves, and try to reduce their access to the threat:
- If they are planning to use a firearm, find a way to remove the gun and ammunition or secure it so they cannot utilize it.
- Offer to hold on to extra medication so that they cannot overdose, and help them contact their pharmacy to see if there are ways they can get their medications in smaller increments.
- Remove rope, belts, and other objects they have considered using to hang themselves.
- Restrict access to sharp objects like razors and knives.
- Sit with them while they call their therapist or prescriber for their mental health medications to get an urgent appointment.
- If they don’t have any mental health services in place, help them contact the National Suicide Lifeline by calling or texting 988. This will connect them to a trained crisis counselor who can talk them through safety planning and make suggestions for where they can get urgent help.
- If you believe the person is in immediate danger, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.
At Highland Hospital, we have the tools to support people who are fighting mental health disorders and addiction simultaneously. We provide personalized, trauma-informed care.
