Substance Use and Suicide

With its ability to reduce inhibitions and increase impulsiveness, alcohol can significantly affect a person’s suicide risk. This increase in impulsivity can make someone who is already suicidal prone to self-destructive acts, and suicide attempts under the influence of alcohol tend to involve more lethal means.

Substance use and mental health disorders often occur together and affect each other in a strong and negative way. Alcohol and other drugs usually cause an increase in feelings of depression, which causes more substance use, and so on — leading to a dangerous spiral that’s challenging to escape.

That’s why taking an active approach is so important when it comes to getting the mental health support you need. If you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide and frequently use alcohol or other substances, there are resources that can help.

• South Dakota Behavioral Health
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services
• Avoid Opioid