Suicide and Chemical Dependency

Introduction

Suicide is a foremost reason of death among people who misuse drugs and alcohol. The annual prevalence of attempted suicide among dependent drug users is equivalent to the lifetime prevalence in the general population. Alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking, drug abuse, it all became a tragedy for millions of people, the cause of their disability and premature death. It would seem that such a situation is unnatural for the evolution of life. Nature is set up to improve the coping mechanisms of living beings, and not on the mechanisms of suicide (Maloney and Degenhardt, 1-10). The term "chemical dependency" is used to describe the compulsive use of chemicals (drugs or alcohol) and the inability to stop using them despite all the problems caused by their use.

Suicide is a major public health concern. Around 30,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States. More people die by suicide each year than by homicide. Suicide is tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the risk factors for suicide and who is at risk can help reduce the suicide rate. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there is a "complex interrelationship" between substance abuse and suicidal ideation or behavior. A history of alcohol and drug abuse is second only to a history of depression or other-mood disorders in determining a person's risk of becoming suicidal. One study found that people with a substance abuse problem were six times more likely than their non-substance abusing peers to attempt suicide. A second study linked 25% of completed suicides to substance abuse problems. A third study evaluated people brought to emergency rooms after a suicide attempt (Maloney and Degenhardt, 1-10).

Discussion

Chemical Dependency and Suicide Risk

In addition to its well-known adverse health effects, substance dependency is associated with suicide and suicidal behavior. The concept of chemical dependency as a risk factor for suicide is controversial and fuelled by disparate findings across studies. Several studies have found a positive association between chemical dependency and suicide attempts. Other studies have demonstrated a relation between drug addiction and suicide (Conner, Pinquart and Gamble, 127-137). However, important limitations temper these findings. Most studies to date have not comprehensively adjusted for the effects of co-morbid mental disorders. Nicotine dependence and smoking are highly associated with almost all psychiatric disorders, and mental disorders are well-established risk factors for suicidal behavior. In many studies that have controlled for mental disorder co-morbidity and other confounders, associations between suicide attempts and smoking are rendered no significant. Another significant limitation is that several studies have not controlled for the effects of bodily disease, despite its association with both tobacco use and suicidal behavior (Conner, Beautrais and Conwell, 551-554).

Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among individuals with substance use disorders have been well researched. Regular, dependent users of opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine all have an extremely high prevalence of these risk factors when compared to the general population. Similarly, among individuals with problematic alcohol use, a prior suicide attempt, ...