Society's Chemical Noose: A Look at Substance Abuse and Suicide

SOCIETY'S CHEI ICAL NOOSE Every year, one million deaths occur due to suicide. That's one suicide every fifteen minutes. Substance abuse & addiction are commonly associated with an increased risk of suicide. Had ingested alcohol. 33" ingested alcohol 23* ingested antidepressants In fact, out of all Had ingested antidepressants. suicide victims in 2009: 21* Inpested opiates Had ingested opiates. lincluding herein & prescription pain killers) Logically, alcohol often plays a role in suicide cases. An estimated 25* of US suicide victims are legally drunk when they commit suicide. Additionally, 40" of treatment-seeking alcoholics report attempting suicide at one point. Alcohol takes the lead in substances involved in suicides, with prescription drugs taking a close second. Anti-anxiety Drugs Anti- Narcotic Acetaminophen Ibuprofen Products Alcohol Drugs depressants psychotics Painkillers Products 10 12.0 12.9 163 19.4 23.0 Selected substances in drug-related suicide attempts by young adults. Male Female In 2007, of people who committed suicide by substance abuse: ingested two or more drugs. 33 of multi-drug suicides were committed by combining alcohol & prescription drugs. 69" ingested Another 33 were caused by combining prescription & over-the-counter drugs. one type of drug. VICODIN In 2008, opioid pain relievers like Vicodin were a factor in 10* were caused by 14.800 deaths alone. over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen. The differences between men & women's suicides rates are equally staggering. Wommen Attempt suicide 2x - 3x more often than men. 4x more likely to die from suicide than women. Most common method: Poisoning (including overdosing). Most common method: Firearms. 400 increase in deaths from painkiller OD's since 1999. 265* increase in deaths from painkiller OD's since 1999. Substance abusers: 6.5- more likely to commit suicide. Substance abusers: 2.3 more likely to commit suicide. 17 are legally drunk when committing suicide. 24% are legally drunk when committing suicide. 34" of suicides were due to overdosing. 8" of suicides were due to overdosing. With proper care and treatment, the tragedy of suicide can be prevented. If you know someone at risk, don't wait. Please seek help today. Sourcec nedicabpresscom | cácgov | alcoholi umabout.com Iesters.com I orese.com I sacoa I prechistrictimes.com Keys