Video Transcription

Alcohol and Sucide

Alcohol is a depressant drug. It also changes the way we think. Close to half of the people who attempt or complete suicide have problematic drinking or alcohol dependence.

Most of us, when we have a few drinks, start to feel lighter, happier, more confident, and more sociable. But if we continue to drink, it actually slows our bodies and entire system down. It reduces the way we feel, which is where some people end up as the tearful ones in the corner. Alcohol tends to focus our thinking on our emotions, making us very aware of feelings like sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, or depression.

With alcohol, people who are already struggling may start to act on feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts. They are much more likely to make high-risk, impulsive decisions. If it feels like your only option is to not be here anymore, and you’re drinking alcohol, your ability to manage or contain those feelings becomes restricted.

Those emotions seem much more powerful and overwhelming than they otherwise would. When you’re dealing with significant distress or pain, alcohol is not a solution—it only makes things worse.