CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol can have an effect on the body in direct proportion to the amount consumed.ref It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and intestines and into the bloodstream. Negative effects of alcohol include impaired judgment, reduced reaction time, slurred speech, and difficulty walking. ref

When drunk quickly and in large quantities, alcohol can result in coma and death. Alcohol also interacts with a number of prescription and nonprescription medications in ways that can intensify the effects of the alcohol, the medications, or both.ref Alcohol use can be particularly potent if there are other suicide risk factors present, such as depression or other mental illnesses. ref

Questions and Answers on Alcohol Consumption provides additional information about the physical and other effects of alcohol.

One need not be an alcoholic to be at risk for suicide. Anyone who abuses alcohol, depending on the other risk factors present in their lives, can be at risk for suicide. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), drinking becomes too much when it causes or increases the risk for "alcohol-related problems or complicates the management of other health problems." ref