Suicide and Addiction

As the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, suicide is a grave public health problem that affects us all.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 33,000 people die of suicide in the U.S. every year, and many more attempt suicide.  Throughout their lifetimes, countless Americans will experience the devastating effects of suicide within their families and circle of close friends.  Because the two most prevalent risk factors associated with suicide are mental health disorders and substance abuse, it is vital to understand these risks and take steps to manage addictions in order to save lives. 

How are substance abuse and suicide linked?

Both substance use and addiction are associated with suicide attempts.  One large study carried out across 12 states by the National Violent Death Reporting System showed that alcohol was found in the bloodstreams of 33% of people who died from suicide, and opiates like heroin and prescription pain killers were present in the systems of almost 25% of people who committed suicide.   Not all of these people were necessarily addicted to alcohol or opiates, although alcohol addiction is strongly associated with suicide.  According to the American Society for Addiction Medicine, 1 in 6 alcoholics will die from suicide, and 1 in 6 people who die from suicide have alcohol addiction.  Experts estimate that 85% of the people who die from suicide suffer from major depressive disorder, alcohol addiction, or both.

Intoxication itself puts people at a higher risk for suicide because it makes it more likely that individuals will engage in impulsive behaviors that can harm themselves or others, whether accidentally or intentionally.  Alcohol and other sedatives alter a person’s judgment, aggressiveness, and impulsivity.  The crash that follows a cocaine or methamphetamine high can precipitate suicide attempts due to intense feelings of disappointment and self-loathing, as well as the neurochemical changes caused by cocaine and speed.  Stimulants can also trigger manic episodes in people with latent bipolar disorder, and other drugs can sometimes cause psychotic episodes.

In addition, addictions can contribute to mental health disorders.  The regular use of alcohol and other sedatives as well as habitual opioid-induced narcosis (unconsciousness) can lead to a form of depression called substance-induced mood disorder.  The consequences of addiction in a person’s life, including broken relationships, lost financial security, the potential for lost freedom through imprisonment, and poor health, can also contribute to situational depression and make it more likely that a person may attempt to take their own life.

Suicide by intentional overdose is yet another danger linked to addiction.  Drugs of abuse should be considered to be potentially lethal means in the hands of a depressed person.

Do behavioral addictions increase a person’s risk of suicide?

Yes, there is some evidence that indicates that a behavioral addiction like internet pornography or compulsive gambling can increase a person’s risk of attempting suicide.  For example, people with the eating disorder anorexia are at a particularly high risk for suicide attempts.

What should I do if I am contemplating suicide or know someone who is?

Get help right away.  Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).