Drug addiction is one of the top risk factors for suicide. Research shows that people addicted to drugs are six times more likely to attempt suicide than those who are not. Therefore, seeking treatment for drug addiction is a key measure for preventing suicide among substance abusers. BluePrint Health wants you to understand the correlations and the signs that someone you love might be in trouble.

Correlation Between Drug Addiction and Suicide

Although drug addiction is a risk factor for suicide, only a small percentage of substance abusers commit suicide. However, because substance abuse disorder is complex, you cannot tell what kind of response a drug user will have. In most cases, they commit suicide through a drug overdose with only a few cases of suicide attempts through other means. To be on the safe side, if you or a loved one is addicted, you should seek treatment not only as a means of preventing suicide but also to restore your overall health.

Signs of Drug Addiction

The following behaviors may be a sign that you or someone you love is addicted to drugs:

You or your loved one have a hard time controlling the quantity of the drug you take.
You or your loved one have attempted to abstain from using the drug several times and have been unsuccessful.
You or your loved one spend a lot of time thinking about the drug.
You or your loved one experience unpleasant symptoms when the drug wears off.
You or your loved one have lost interest in things you previously enjoyed doing.
You or your loved one steal money or go to great lengths to get money to buy the drug you are addicted to.
You or your loved one are having trouble accomplishing your daily tasks.
You or your loved one hide the drug or its effects from others.
You or your loved one experienced sleep pattern changes to either sleeping too much or too little.
You or your loved one have an unusually high or low appetite.
You or your loved one experienced unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
You or your loved one neglect your personal hygiene.
You or your loved one have lost motivation.
You or your loved one are often irritable and agitated.

Drug Addiction Treatment Options

Drug addiction treatment is a long-term endeavor that can integrate more than one treatment strategy. The most common strategies include medication, therapy, 12-steps process, and support groups, inpatient and outpatient treatment.

In the case of inpatient treatment, you stay at a rehabilitation center for at least 90 days and integrate the various treatment strategies. Inpatient treatment creates a conducive environment that limits triggers. You can stay at such a facility for up to 12 months. Generally, inpatient treatment is the most expensive yet most effective option.

Outpatient treatment works well in the later stages of recovery. You work with a specialist to plan for therapy sessions, medication and support group attendance while living at home and going on with your daily routine. At this point, you may even benefit from finding online therapists to help you through your rehab maintenance. You get to select a therapist from a large list to ensure that you find a good match, and you can check in with that therapist from anywhere, which makes finding support in times of crisis easier.

Signs that a Drug User is Suicidal

Signs and symptoms of suicide are the same whether one is addicted or not. Common signs include:

Suicide ideation: thoughts of wanting to kill or harm yourself.
Feeling trapped, hopeless, anxious, agitated or overtly angry.
Drastic mood changes.
Feeling purposelessness
Engaging in risky behaviors such as driving while drunk and engaging in unsafe sex.
Increased use of drugs
solating yourself.

What to do to Prevent a Suicide Crisis When You are Addicted

Seek treatment for your addiction
Look out for signs of being suicidal and immediately you spot any seek professional help
Incorporate habits and practices that support your recovery into your lifestyle. These include self-care, exercising, and eating nutritious foods.
Establish a support network through support groups, mental illnesses specialists, family and friends.
Avoid using drugs whether for recreation or as a form of escapism from the challenges you are facing.
Educate yourself about both drug addiction recovery and suicide prevention to help you cope with both situations better.
Work with your mental health specialist to come up with a safety plan that you can leverage on in times of crisis.
Talk openly about your emotions and challenges to people you trust.
Get rid of any items that you could use to harm or kill yourself.

Drug addiction is not a suicide sentence. Both drug addiction and being suicidal are treatable. Seek professional help at the earliest onset of signs of either of the disorders.

Sometimes depression leads people to rely on drugs and alcohol, which contributes to a dangerous cycle that can lead to addiction or suicide. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may help you to change your body’s chemistry and pull you out of your depression. BluePrint Health specializes in this kind of therapy. Visit our website to learn more about how HRT could help you.