Suicide and Addiction

Suicide Risk Factors

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.¹ Some of the most common risk factors for suicide include:¹

• Addiction and substance abuse.
• Being between the age of 15-24 or over 60.
• Family history of suicide or suicide attempts.
• Family history of violence.
• History of trauma including physical and sexual abuse.
• History of incarceration.
• Medical problems.
• Mental health issues such as depression.

Research has taken a look at the influence of positive or negative social environments on suicide rates.² For example, a 2011 study involving gay, lesbian, and transgendered youth found that those living in environments that were unsupportive of their sexual orientation were 20% more likely to commit suicide than those in supportive environments.²

In 2017, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death for people between 35-54 years old and the second leading cause of death in people between the ages of 10-34.³ Suicide was the tenth leading case of death, overall, in the U.S. claiming over 47,000 lives.³ 

Suicide Warning Signs and Prevention

There may be warning signs you can look out for to help someone who is considering suicide. Some of these include:¹

• An increase in drug/alcohol use.
• Change in sleep and eating habits.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or empty.
• Increase in anxiety and agitation.
• Exhibiting extreme mood swings.
• Making a will and giving away personal items.
• Reckless or impulsive behaviors such as risky driving.
• Researching a plan for suicide or acquiring the means to harm oneself (firearms, pills, etc.).
• Social isolation and withdrawal from friends and family.
• Talking about wanting to die.

Opioids and Suicide

Opioids are a class of drugs that include both legal-by-prescription and illegal substances. Some examples include:⁴

• Heroin.
• Fentanyl.
• Morphine.
• Codeine.
• Hydrocodone or Vicodin.
• Oxycodone or OxyContin.

Because of their reinforcing effects in the brain, opioid agonist drugs have a known liability for abuse and dependence. Many people use prescription opioids to help manage pain, however, non-medical misuse of these medications can increase the risk of addiction development.⁴

Studies suggest that people who suffer from substance use disorders involving prescription opioids may be twice as likely to attempt suicide than those who do not misuse prescription opioids.⁵ Though it’s difficult to pinpoint a figure, some estimate that a significant number of opioid overdoses (up to 30%) may be intentional as a means of suicide.⁵

Suicide and Alcohol

Alcohol also impacts brain chemistry with its rewarding, reinforcing effects. This may help to explain why some people attempt to better cope with feelings of depression, anxiety, or sadness by drinking. However, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, and its use may ultimately make certain mental health symptoms worse.

Alcohol and depression are both independent risk factors for suicidality.¹ Even in the short-term, acute alcohol use may be associated with a greater number of suicide attempts. Relatively recent meta-analyses have estimated a nearly 7 times increase in the likelihood of a suicide attempt in those drinking compared to those who did not drink alcohol. The evidence further supports a dose-dependent effect, with high levels of drinking associated with even higher odds ratios.⁶ 

Mental Health and Suicide

Many suicides are related to mental health issues, with depression, psychosis, and substance use being perhaps the most influential risk factors.⁷ Other mental and behavioral health issues that may also increase a person’s risk for suicide include:⁷

• Anxiety disorders.
• PTSD.
• Eating disorders.
• Personality disorders.

How Can AAC Help?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leader in treating people with both mental health issues and substance use disorders—a situation referred to as a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders.

AAC has locations throughout the country including California, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Nevada, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Every facility is unique and offers programs that best fit our patient’s needs.

AAC offers a variety of treatment options that can include detoxification, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, sober living, and aftercare. Some treatments offered include medically assisted detox, family therapy, art and music therapy, yoga, animal-assisted therapy, and wilderness therapy.

If you are looking for more information about AAC’s treatment programs, facilities, or overall care, call one of our friendly admissions navigators today at .

There is hope if you or someone you know is suicidal or struggling with substance abuse and  mental health issues. AAC has a variety of treatment options that can be tailored to you and your specific needs. 

Find Substance Abuse Treatment Near You

Sources

1. National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Suicide in America: Frequently asked questions.
2. Hatzenbuehler M. L. (2011). The social environment and suicide attempts in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. Pediatrics, 127(5), 896–903.
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Suicide.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). What are opioids?
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). Suicide deaths are a major component of the opioid crisis that must be addressed.
6. Borges, G., Bagge, C. L., Cherpitel, C. J., Conner, K. R., Orozco, R., & Rossow, I. (2017). A meta-analysis of acute use of alcohol and the risk of suicide attempt. Psychological medicine, 47(5), 949–957.
7. Bachmann S. (2018). Epidemiology of Suicide and the Psychiatric Perspective. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(7), 1425.