Suicide and Dual Diagnosis
Suicide is one of the highest risk factors for a diagnosis of depression. When depression is coupled with drug or alcohol addiction, this risk worsens greatly. Chronic depression and anxiety can also be a lethal combination for someone who doesn’t feel they can go on anymore. Alcohol and drugs can seem like an answer, but they really just make a person more vulnerable to suicide. A person’s judgment becomes impaired more often and it deepens their emotional pain.
Dual Diagnosis A Double-Dagger for Suicide Risk
Just imagine - someone already believes that life is worthless and they are powerless to make anything better. Toss in some “liquid courage” or a drug that distorts reality or sends a buzzing burst of energy. A drunk person bent on suicide runs into oncoming traffic, not aware enough to reconsider their actions. Someone who feels intense despair every day allows themselves to use ever higher amounts of drugs, knowing and hoping that one time it will finish them off - the suffering can finally end.
Bipolar Has High Risk of Suicide
People with bipolar disorder are particularly prone to suicide, even without drugs or alcohol. The cycling of their mood, constantly up and down between extremes, it can all be so exhausting. The middle range doesn’t exist, or not for very long. The constant adjustment, the consequences of the impulsivity during manic episodes and the despair agitation of depression - all of it can make life feel too painful to go on. The only answer seems to be to end it all. When the distorting, numbing, isolating, and overstimulating effects of addiction go along with bipolar, a person can really be in danger if they don’t get into a solid treatment program.
Statistics show that as many as 15% of people with bipolar disorder may take their life. A person with bipolar is not most at risk when they are at rock bottom. It is instead somewhere between rock bottom and a balanced mood. They still have despair, but they also have more energy to make an attempt.
Research Reflects High Dual Diagnosis Suicide Risk
One study from 1993 examined the histories of 1400 people who had attempted suicide. Most of them had a mood disorder (some form of depression or bipolar) and about half also had drug or alcohol abuse in their life. About half of those who have a serious mental illness also have an addiction. And only a small percentage of people with dual diagnosis actually receive treatment for their problems. There are many untreated people out there that pose a greater risk for suicide than they may understand. This fact alone ought to be a high-alert for loved ones who may have seen the patterns going on and on.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment At The Canyon
Do you know someone who’s had chronic depression or anxiety and who also abuses drugs and alcohol? Hope comes from your loved one getting the proper treatment. The ticking time bomb is diffused and they gain control of their life again. The Canyon is one of the foremost experts on dual diagnosis treatment. They are second-to-none when it comes to research-based drug rehab in combination with a holistic environment.
Tags: drug-rehab, Suicide, Suicide and Dual Diagnosis
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