Suicide and Drug Addiction
Suicide Rate in Drug Addiction and How to Naturally Prevent
Drug addiction has been known for its destructive effects on the addicts. Most of the side effects are known by many especially depression and other withdrawal symptoms that an addict faces whenever he tries to stop using the drugs. However there is also another serious problem that has now been linked to drug and substance addiction- suicide. Suicide among drug addicts has become a serious problem that have to be curbed as many addicts are finding it the easiest way to end their suffering and depression as they struggle to set themselves free from addiction. Most of the people who commit suicide do it under the influence drugs. The use of opiates like oxycodone and heroin are leading cause of suicides.
Cocaine Use Increased Odd of Suicide Attempt
Suicide 
has been a problem that the society has been fighting with. It has very many causes, however as revealed by a study that was led by Richard Ries MD of Harborview Medical Center University of Washington Seattle, Wa, the major cause of suicide attempts are the use of drugs and substance. This study reveals that of all the major causes of suicide attempts, cocaine use leads by increasing suicide attempts 62 times more likely. This is followed by major depression which increases the odd of suicide attempts 41 times more likely. Alcohol use follows by increasing odd of suicide attempts 8 times more likely. This supports the notion that drug and substance addiction increases chances of a person committing suicide.
In this same study it was found that among other factors divorce and separation increased odd of suicide attempts 11 times more likely. A person may argue that now that divorce and separation also increases the likelihood of a person committing suicide then there is no way to link drug addiction to increased suicide cases. However if deviate from your view you will realize that drug and substance addiction has a bigger role in even divorce and separation. Most of the cases where married parties have to separate or divorce are often linked to drug abuse. A person gets drunk and becomes abusive needless to mention he may not be able to stand with his responsibilities causing the family to break. Socially, the use of drugs and getting addicted to them will even determine the people you relate with and what jobs you will even do. So drug and substance addiction will affect a marriage in many and may be the driving factor that leads to separation linked to increased suicide cases.
However it not reasonable to ignore other factors that may lead to divorce and separation such as infidelity, having abusive partners (some people get abusive even without using drugs), financial problems and other mere misunderstandings. In these cases it calls for counseling in order to rectify the problems before it results in divorce. As it turns saving a divorce may count in reducing the rate of suicide. Marriage counselors may help in restoring peace in a marriage.
What Predicts Suicide Attempts in Alcoholics?
Several studies have linked drug use to increase in suicide attempts. The addicts need to be helped through various ways to help them stay away from suicide thoughts. The doctors have found various ways through which they can predict whether a person addicted to alcohol may attempt suicide or not. These insights may help the doctors to find ways to counsel the addicts to be free from suicide thoughts. One of these pointers is the family history of attempted suicides. When a person has a family member who had committed suicide they are said to develop suicide thoughts. When these suicide thoughts become dominant in their minds they begin to view it as the best solution to end their addiction problems. By studying their family suicide attempt history they can be helped to adopt better ways of solving problems. Another pointer is adverse childhood experience. There are childhood experiences that keep haunting an individual. These thoughts may even be the cause why a person becomes alcoholic. Experiences such as rape, neglect or sodomy may leave a person feeling unworthy and such attitude may cause suicide. The doctors may find ways of helping such an addict to avoid suicide.
Today, suicide has become a major catastrophe. In America alone it is reported that suicide is among top 3 or 4 causes of death in the US from teens to 50. To reduce this rate, there are a lot that needs to be done. Fortunately several studies have shown the major causes of suicide and so an action plan can be developed to minimize the causes of suicidal deaths in both teens and adults not only in America but also in other continents.
Suicide Screen, Assessment Risk and Referral
Suicide is one of the major causes of deaths in teens. For this reasons there is need to screen the alcoholics and even teens for suicide risks. Unfortunately screening for suicide risks has not been utilized in the past majorly because many institutions lack these mental health resources. Risk assessment will be done after the screening to show probability of suicidal death occurring and after this probability is known then various measures can be taken to help the person before he becomes a victim of suicide. In most institutions there may not be abled professionals to handle a subject given the suicide risk factor may be high. In this case referrals become necessary where the person may be taken to more equipped centers with abled professionals who can help prevent such deaths.
Drugs and substance abuse contribute greatly to suicidal deaths and that is why here at AWAREmed we approach addiction integratively so that we not only deal with withdrawal symptoms but also assess other risk factors. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) has helped many addicts to retrace their steps and overcome addiction. You can call on her for more help.
Suicide Rate in Drug Addiction and How to Naturally Prevent
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