Does Addiction Increase Suicide Risks?

October 13, 2023

Harmony Place Team

The Link Between Addiction and Suicide Risks

The connection between addiction and suicide is profound, with substance misuse significantly heightening the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Addiction often exacerbates underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which are commonly linked to suicidality. For many, substances become a maladaptive coping mechanism, deepening emotional struggles while impairing decision-making and impulse control. This dangerous cycle increases addiction-related suicide risk, as individuals may feel trapped in a worsening mental state. From alcohol addiction to opioid dependence, the impact of substance abuse on suicide rates is evident, showcasing the dire need for targeted intervention.

Understanding and addressing the dual challenges of addiction and mental health disorders is a crucial step in reducing suicide risks. Through comprehensive care, including dual diagnosis treatment, individuals can confront both the root causes of their addiction and the mental health issues fueling it. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based approaches play an essential role in helping individuals regain hope and stability. At Harmony Place, we’re dedicated to providing a pathway to recovery, offering support and tailored treatments to help individuals move past substance dependence and reclaim their lives. If you or someone you love is struggling, know that compassionate, professional help is available.

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can increase a person’s risk of suicidal ideations and behaviors. The connection between addiction and suicide risks stems from a multitude of factors. One of the most prevalent factors is an underlying mental health disorder.

Harmony Place in Los Angeles, California, understands the link between mental health and addiction. That is why we offer dual diagnosis treatment for those with both disorders. By treating the underlying causes of addiction, we hope to lower the risk of suicidal behaviors and ideations in those who struggle.

How Addiction and Suicide Are Linked

The most common link between addiction and suicide has to do with underlying mental health symptoms. According to MedlinePlus, “About half of people who have a mental disorder will also have a substance use disorder at some point in their lives and vice versa.”

Thus, a person with an addiction is more likely to have a mental health disorder. And, this disorder can worsen with continued substance misuse, leading to a worsening of symptoms—including suicidality.

Oftentimes, people with an addiction use drugs and alcohol as a maladaptive coping mechanism for an untreated mental health disorder. In addition, suicidal ideations or behaviors can be a symptom of mental health disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Warning Signs of Suicide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following are warning signs that a person is at an increased risk of suicide:

Saying that they feel like a burden to others
Spending time alone and isolated
Increase in anxiety and excessive worry
Feeling trapped or in insufferable pain
Acquiring lethal objects, like guns or knives
Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
Mood swings
Expressing feelings of hopelessness
Insomnia or sleeping too much
Talking about death or a desire to die
Posting about death on social media
Having a specific plan to commit suicide

In addition to the above-mentioned warning signs of suicide, if the person already misuses substances, they might increase their use. Alternatively, a person who never or rarely uses substances could begin drinking or doing drugs. Addiction and suicide risks are also linked because people are often more reckless when under the influence.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline offers support to those at risk. They also help family members and loved ones with prevention resources when they are worried about another’s risk of suicide.

Factors Between Addiction and Suicide

There are some common factors between addiction and suicide risks. For one, people with addiction tend to be more likely to struggle with impulse control. They are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Chronic substance use can also alter a person’s brain and increase their risk of suicide.

Impulsivity and Risk-Taking Behaviors

According to Current Addiction Reports, “Among people with an underlying vulnerability to risk-taking and impulsive behaviors, chronic alcohol intoxication can increase maladaptive coping behaviors and hinder self-regulation, thereby increasing the risk of suicide.”

Thus, problems with impulse control can be both a cause of and an effect of substance misuse. For instance, some people misuse stimulant drugs to increase their focus and concentration. However, many drugs also lead to a decrease in impulse control by lowering a person’s inhibitions.

Similar things can be said about substance misuse and risk-taking. A person more willing to take risks might be more willing to experiment with drug use, for example. At the same time, substance misuse can leave a person feeling euphoric or invulnerable. Thus, the person is more likely to engage in risky or reckless behavior.

Neurobiology and Negative Affect

The above-mentioned article by Current Addiction Reports also states that “chronic opioid use can result in neurobiological changes that lead to increases in negative affective states, jointly contributing to suicide risk and continued opioid use.” The increase in negative affective states—emotions like guilt, stress, sadness, shame, worry, and anger—worsens a person’s overall mental health.

Thus, addiction creates a cycle of worsening mental health symptoms as the person misuses substances to try to cope with these symptoms. Since suicidal ideations and behaviors are among the most severe symptoms of mental health disorders. As the cycle of addiction continues, the person is at a higher risk of suicide.

Treating both the addiction and the underlying mental health disorder reduces the risk of suicide.

Treatment for Addiction and Suicide Risks

Treating a dual diagnosis of addiction and the risk of suicide due to a mental health disorder involves addressing both disorders at the same time. Since substance use and mental health disorders commonly co-occur, many rehab facilities offer support for both. By treating both disorders together, clients will have better treatment outcomes.

Treatment for a dual diagnosis at a rehab center usually requires that a person is not actively suicidal. A short-term stay in an inpatient facility, like a psychiatric hospital, can help a person stabilize while keeping them safe from harm. After that, they can move on to lower levels of care, like residential treatment or outpatient services.

Each person’s treatment plan at Harmony Place is tailored to meet their unique needs. Thus, we offer several types of therapies, including:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

These therapies can include individual or group processing therapy—or a combination of both. Our therapy programs treat several mental health disorders linked to suicidal ideations and behaviors.

Get Help for Addiction and Suicide Risks Today

One of the most effective ways to prevent suicide is by seeking professional help for mental health symptoms. Ignoring these symptoms often leads individuals to self-medicate with substances, which not only enhances their risk of developing an addiction but also escalates the likelihood of suicidal tendencies. It’s crucial to understand that treatment is available and can significantly reduce these risks.

Harmony Place recognizes the financial implications of seeking treatment and is committed to making the process as accessible as possible. We proudly accept health insurance coverage from a variety of providers including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Shield of CA, Carelon, and Humana. This step aims to ease the financial burden of treatment and allows you to concentrate fully on your recovery journey.

Harmony Place in Los Angeles, California, is here to help those struggling with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Contact us to get help today.

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Chris P

I've been to 12 rehabs over the last 20 years and NO other place has touch like Harmony Place! From the owner right down to the cleaning lady, everyone here is kinda and warm. God has blessed this place and I feel privileged to have come through here. I recommend anyone who is going through their struggle with mental health or substance abuse to pick up the phone and come! You won't regret it!

Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

Monica G

I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

Denton

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Tyler

A treatment center where the owners truly care about your recovery and after care.. cannot recommend enough

Jodana S

If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at