If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, there are certain things to avoid…

Things to Avoid...

Alcohol. Drugs. Alcohol & Drugs

 

Shock news: Serious research has linked heavy drinking with suicide.

 

Alcohol

 

Alcoholics are reportedly three times more likely to commit suicide than non-alcoholics. But we don't need to be alcoholics – even if we are moderate drinkers and don’t drink to excess – our chances of attempting suicide are almost twice as high as those who do not drink.

 

According to one eminent researcher. “It appears that there's something about alcohol that has a dis-inhibiting effect on people who have been thinking about killing themselves and makes them impetuously act on that impulse in a way they wouldn't if they hadn't been drinking,"

 

In other words, the same lack of inhibitions which allows us to make complete idiots of ourselves; could (in certain circumstances), provide the perfect vessel for suicide.

 

This being so, when any of us are going through a personal crisis, but want to live to see it through – it is advisable to avoid the booze. I know that it is easier said than done, but we do tend to become stupid when we get drunk.

 

Drugs

 

Similarly, users of 'other' drugs are also just as likely to try to kill themselves as those of us who embalm ourselves with alcohol.  The suicide risk for the users of other drugs such as marijuana, inhalants and heroin are about the same as they are said to be for users of alcohol. But the actual risk of suicide increases dramatically when a person is a user of more than one drug.  

 

Using both

Apparently someone smoking marijuana is just as likely to attempt suicide as someone drinking alcohol. Someone doing both is in significantly greater danger.

 

One study observed that, someone using two drugs is 4.2 times more likely (than a non-user) to attempt suicide. Apparently the odds go up from there, depending on the number of drugs being abused.

 

Even relatively casual drinking or drug taking is dangerous for those of us who are actually contemplating suicide. 

 

Research into this area revealed that among the sample, those exhibiting alcohol and substance dependence exhibited a higher likelihood of attempting suicide than non-dependence.

 

The problem is that when many of us are depressed. Going through a suicidal crisis. Or are becoming actively suicidal: We do turn to alcohol or drugs to self medicate.

 

The lesson that we need to learn is that neither alcohol nor drugs have ever solved anyone's problems. In fact, they do tend to make those problems worse.