Older Alcoholics Face a Higher Risk
for Suicide Than Younger Alcoholics
by Kevin Caruso
A study in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research indicates that
as alcoholics age, their risk for suicide increases.
The researchers used data that was collected in New Zealand on 193 adults who died by suicide and 240 adults who made a serious suicide attempt.
The study found that as alcoholics age, they are more prone to mental illnesses and suicide.
The study also found that younger alcoholics were prone to mental illness, but were more likely to make a serious suicide attempt than to actually complete suicide.
But keep in mind that yonger alcoholics are still at a relatively high risk for suicide.
"Alcoholism is a common disorder and is also a potent risk factor for suicide," says study author, Kenneth Conner of the University of Rochester Medical Center.
"In most countries, risk for attempted suicide is highest among adolescents and young adults, whereas the risk for completed suicide is highest among older adults. This study's findings -- that alcohol-dependent middle-aged and older adults are at greater risk for suicide than alcohol-dependent young adults -- reinforce the notion of different age-related patterns in attempted suicide and completed suicide," Conner says.
It should be noted that all alcoholics are at a higher risk for suicide that non-alcoholics.
And all alcoholics with a mental illness, like depression, are at a very high risk for suicide.
The use of alcohol always increases the risk for suicide in anyone with a mental illness.
Thus alcoholics who are mentally ill not only need treatment for their mental illness,
but also for their alcoholism.
If you need help for an alcohol problem, please call 1-800-ALCOHOL
And please remember that it is never too late to get help for your alcohol problem.
Regardless of your age, whether you are a young person or a senior citizen, if you
are an alcoholic, get help now.
Alcoholism is always an urgent problem.
And if it seems like an insurmountable problem. Let me remind you that it
most definitely is not. Innumerable people have beaten alcoholism.
And so will you.
If you think that you are depressed, please make appointments with a doctor
and a therapist so that you may be assessed and treated.
And if you are suicidal, please read the home page of
this website and take action.
You can recover from alcoholism.
You can revover from mental illness.
And you can recover from suicidal feelings.
Please reach out for help.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
