Are Suicide and Binge Drinking Connected?
Alcohol and suicide are connected. Many times, people will experience suicidal thoughts after drinking heavily. However, how does this correlate with binge drinking? When a person who has previously suffered from depression or suicidal thoughts starts binge drinking, it can have devastating consequences. Read on to learn about what binge drinking is, the connection it has to suicide, and some tips about getting started on your path to recovery.
If you or someone you love is suffering from binge drinking and suicidal thoughts or attempts, then you have come to the right place. First, you should know that you are not alone. Thousands of people go through what you are going through. And many people come out on the other side, happier and healthier. If you are ready to talk to someone about getting help, reach out to our experts at 623-263-7371. We are standing by ready to help you start your new life today.
Content
Dive into this article to learn about the effects of binge drinking. Also, learn about the connection binge drinking has to suicide. Get started on your better path today.
Binge Drinking Can Affect Anyone
First, let’s go over what binge drinking is exactly.
Binge drinking is very common. It is defined as “a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 g/dl or above.” This is a common type of excessive alcohol use, but it can be costly and even fatal. Normally someone is able to reach this blood alcohol concentration by consuming around five drinks for men, and four for women, in the space of two hours or less.
Binge drinking can affect anyone, but some people are more likely to be tempted with binge drinking than others.
Binge Drinking in Younger Generations
It has been found that binge drinking is more common amongst the younger generations, especially young adults between the ages of 18 and 34. Generally, one in six adults drinks about four times a month. While they binge drink, they will consume approximately seven beverages. Binge drinking is almost twice as common in men as it is in women. Men consume four out of five total binge drinks.
Binge drinking is also common for college students. Alcohol is prevalent on many if not most college campuses. With alcohol sponsors plastered onto their sports stadium walls, and alumni carrying on the traditions of pre-game social events, this type of culture is so prevalent that binge drinking in college students is seen as fairly normal.
But as we stated earlier, anyone can be affected by binge drinking. Above all, it is important that if you or someone you care about is binge drinking, you seek out the needed help as soon as possible. This type of drinking comes with many side effects and risks.
If you are worried about someone in your life that maybe binge drinking, then call us today. Our specialists can help someone in your life or even you get healthier and happier today.
Risks Of Binge Drinking
Like any other substance abuse, binge drinking comes with serious risks. For example:
- Alcohol use disorders
- Unintended accidents – for example, these can include car crashes, burning yourself, falls, and alcohol poisoning
- Memory loss
- Violent behavior – this can be suicide, homicide, violence with a significant other, and sexual assault
- Trouble learning new things
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Cancer – often found in the colon, breasts, liver, mouth, esophagus, and throat
- Accidental pregnancies
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Negative pregnancy outcomes – for instance, this can include miscarriages and stillborn births
- High blood pressure
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Stroke
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Death
In short, anyone who gets caught up in binge drinking is opening themselves up to negative outcomes. So with that being said: how do you know what to look for if you suspect someone is binge drinking? How do you figure out if you are a victim of binge drinking?
Signs of Binge Drinking
There are clear signs associated with binge drinking. If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, this list can give you insight into what a binge drinker’s symptoms may be. For example, a binge drinker may:
- Have withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, or they will drink to avoid these symptoms – shaking, sweating, and nausea are the most common.
- Be unable to limit their drinking.
- Have developed a tolerance to alcohol, so more and more alcohol is needed in order to feel its effects.
- Feel like cutting down but be unable to do so.
- Drink even when it is unsafe – for example, while swimming or driving.
- Spend a lot of time drinking, obtaining alcohol, or getting over your previous drinking experience.
- Self-isolate, becoming less involved with friends, family, work, hobbies, or activities they used to enjoy.
- Be unable to keep up with school, work, or home duties because of alcohol.
- Continue to drink even though they know it is causing them problems socially, physically, and mentally.
If you or someone you love is experiencing these problems, then you must get help as soon as you can. Addiction tends to worsen with time, and there is nothing wrong with needing a helping hand to kick the habit. Many people will hesitate when they decide they need help, but professional help could be just the thing to get you back on your feet. Call us today to talk to a professional about what you need to do in order to stop binge drinking.
Do not suffer the risks and symptoms of binge drinking alone. We are here to help you. Our professionals will help you get onto the road to sobriety.
The Tragic Link Between Alcohol and Suicide
Young adults who participate in binge drinking often find they have more depression and suicidal ideation while they are drinking alone. On the other hand, those who mainly drink in a social setting feel these effects less.
Generally, people that have had a suicide attempt in the past are almost four times more likely to be solitary binge drinkers. Because of this, they are more likely to feel depression and suicidal tendencies during a binge.
The link between alcohol and suicide is tragic. Often, people who suffer from depression will turn to alcohol for support and comfort. But because alcohol affects the drinker’s ability to control their emotions, it ends up increasing their depression, along with suicidal thoughts and attempts.
With alcohol, it is a lose-lose situation. It decreases the drinker’s inhibitions while also making them see themselves in a negative light. It spurs impulsive actions. And it makes drinkers want to be isolated, which can then reinforce whatever depression and suicidal tendencies were already there.
If you or someone you love are suffering from severe suicidal thoughts after drinking, please know that you are not alone. A lot of people go through what you are going through. We are standing by waiting to help you onto your better path today.
How often is Alcohol a Factor in Suicides?
You may be wondering how often alcohol and suicide are directly linked together. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services:
“A number of recent national surveys have helped shed light on the relationship between alcohol and other drug use and suicidal behavior. A review of minimum-age drinking laws and suicides among youths age 18 to 20 found that lower minimum-age drinking laws were associated with higher youth suicide rates. In a large study following adults who drink alcohol, suicide ideation was reported among persons with depression. In another survey, persons who reported that they had made a suicide attempt during their lifetime were more likely to have had a depressive disorder. Many also had alcohol and/or substance abuse disorder. In a study of all non-traffic injury deaths associated with alcohol intoxication, over 20 percent were suicides.”
It may be difficult to know when someone is thinking of suicide. Next, we will go over the signs associated with someone wanting to commit suicide.
Signs of Suicide
Suicidal thoughts are common among young adults especially. Factors such as stress, school, and work can make anyone feel overwhelmed. When someone starts to feel overwhelmed, then they often feel the need for an escape. If you are worried about someone you love having suicidal tendencies, then here are some signs you can look out for:
- Changes in their sleep patterns
- Isolating themselves from social situations with friends or family
- Tying up their loose ends, i.e. giving away their things or making amends with many people.
- Behaviors that seem reckless
- Often feeling hopeless
- Frequently discussing death, dying, or suicide.
- An increase in substance abuse – this can be drugs or alcohol.
- Drastic changes in their mood
- Feelings of irritability
Tips for Avoiding Binge Drinking
So, you need some tips on avoiding binge drinking in a social setting, at dinners, or just while you are at home? That is a great first step. Recognizing that you have an issue and looking for ways to solve your problem is the first step to a brand-new life. Here are some questions you can ask yourself in order to help you adjust your drinking behavior and pattern:
- How can I tell my cravings to limit my drinking?
- What do I need to get done tomorrow?
- Will the people I am with encourage or expect me to drink?
- How will I get home later?
- What responsibilities do I have now or later?
- Am I about to go to a situation where most people around me will be drinking?
- How much did I drink the last time?
- How will I feel safe and at my best in this situation?
- When do I need to be home? Is there a certain time?
- How did I feel after I drank this much the last time?
- When do I need to be in bed in order to be productive tomorrow?
- How much money can I or do I want to spend?
Starting by asking yourself these questions can be a great tool to get you in the right mindset. Knowing who, what, when, where, why, and how much can be a major key to your recovery.
Getting Help
Finally, if you are ready to get some help, please call us today. We offer a judgment-free policy. You should never feel shamed or judged when talking to one of our representatives. Most importantly, we are here to help you turn your life around and get you on that better path to a happier and healthier life. Call now to speak to a representative about what is the best option for you today.
Addiction Treatment
Finding Your New Path To A Better Life, Is Just A Call Away.
Your road to addiction treatment recovery starts Here. 24/7 Treatment Monitoring.
Resources
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#excessivealcohol
- https://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/media/taskforcereport.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104967/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3431456/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17235446/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243
- https://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/binge-drinking-moderation-strategies/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6108020/
- https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/does-alcohol-increase-risk-of-suicide/index.html
