Suicide

“More than 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable mental disorder, most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder.” (www.nimh.nih.gov)

Suicide is a serious issue that is plaguing the world today. It is the third leading single cause for death in America and has been occurring more frequently in recent months due to the declining economy and other uncontrollable factors. People commit suicide when they feel that something is terribly wrong in their life and they cannot think of another way out. Friends or family members should try not to judge these people or try to counsel them alone; the best option is for the individual thinking about suicide to seek treatment.

Warning Signs:
•Talking about suicide or what life would be like if they were “gone”
•Depression
•Previous suicide attempts
•Getting rid of prized possessions
•Personality changes
•Engaging in risky behaviors

People who have attempted suicide before are very likely to commit suicide in the first year after the attempt. Also, people who are depressed make up about 30-80% of the population that does commit suicide. Statistics say that on average 8 out of 10 people give some type of warning sign before they commit suicide.

How to Help if you Fear Someone you Love is Considering Suicide:
•Trust your instincts
•Don’t swear to secrecy or leave the person alone
•Don’t be judgmental and talk to the person about their concerns
•Have them get treatment, even if they resist

Suicide is a very devastating event and can potentially be prevented if someone is brave enough to intervene. People who are thinking about killing themselves are often crying out for help, so help them if you can. And if you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide, seek treatment- the benefits are endless.

Sources:
Fact sheet: Suicide
The Numbers Count: Mental Health Disorders in America

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How Substance Abuse Affects Families

When a person becomes addicted to a drug, it often affects the people around them. Although the others are not actually using the drug, they sometimes feel its effects in different ways. An addict does not always realize how their actions are impacting the people they love, but family and friends do pay a price as well.

Financial Effects:
When an addict lives with his/her family, they may spend more money on their addiction than their budget allows. Money that is needed for bills or food may be spent on drugs and it leaves the rest of the family responsible for making up the loss. Additionally, if the addiction becomes severe, an addict may steal from their loved ones in order to get a high and again the family is left to figure out the issues that are created.

Exposure Effects:
Exposure may begin in someone’s life before they are ever born. If a woman is pregnant and still using drugs, her unborn baby may face irreparable damages. And later, when someone begins (or continues) to use drugs in their everyday life, it is not long before the people around them begin to notice. Children are sometimes exposed to these drugs and do not even understand what they are. The largest problem with this is that exposure leads to familiarity and could potentially cause them to consider using drugs in the future.

Emotional Effects:
Despite the numerous battles that families of addicts have to fight, the emotional one may be the toughest. Children may lose their parents and adults lose their siblings or spouses to addiction, and the loss is immeasurable. Often times, the loved ones feel the stress from the addiction when they try to cover up the addict’s problems as well as argue with them about what is going on. Addiction may cause more arguments and sometimes even physical abuse, and people can only handle so much.

Sources:
Substance Abuse- Effects of Substance Abuse on Families
http://family.jrank.org/pages/1647/Substance-Abuse-Effects-Substance-Abuse-on-Families.html
Drug Abuse and Addiction
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects
_treatment.htm
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