Suicide and Binge Drinking Among College Students
Alcohol Abuse Disorder in College Students
Alcohol abuse may lead to suicide for individuals of all ages. However, college students are at a higher risk. Why? This is a transitory age. College students are entering early adulthood. Many are living away from home, family, and friends for the first time. When you add in the pressure to do well in classes and plan for a career, this transition is often challenging.
But what’s even more challenging is the opportunity and peer pressure to binge drink. This kind of behavior often leads to trouble later. Alcohol abuse may turn into a physical dependency. It can also increase the likelihood of uncharacteristic behaviors and thoughts of suicide.
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Diseases Associated with Alcohol Abuse
Many physical and mental disorders and diseases have been linked to alcohol abuse. This proves to be a significant risk for age groups that are prone to substance abuse, and excessive drinking occurs at the highest rates among college-aged individuals. Students aged 18 to 22 are the most likely demographic to abuse alcohol.
There are many different factors that we’ve seen contribute to this age group’s desire to binge drink.
Among them, the most common are:
- Peer pressure
- Availability
- New stressors
- Family problems
- Difficult transitions
- Weak interpersonal attachments
- Existing mental health conditions
One may be the cause of your alcohol abuse, or it may be several factors that have led to your alcohol abuse.
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Binge Drinking Linked to Mental Health and Physical Ailments
Binge drinking is not only linked to mental health conditions and physical ailments. Suicidal thoughts and tendencies are strongly correlated, as well. Sometimes, these are caused by the detrimental impacts on your health from consistent alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction is linked to over 60 different injuries and diseases.
Among the most common are:
- Suicides
- Mental health disorders
- Esophageal cancers
- Liver cancers
- Liver cirrhosis
- Murders
- Epilepsy
- Motor vehicle accidents
Alcohol addiction treatment can help you avoid these complications and many others.
Alcohol Abuse Treatment
The second leading cause of death in college students is suicide. Studies have confirmed the link between alcohol abuse and suicide among college students. Negative life events are strong risk factors for alcohol abuse and suicide. These may be the end of a relationship, work-related stress, or the death of a loved one.
These factors lead many college students to abuse alcohol further. They can also cause depressive episodes. It’s important to note that alcohol abuse often leads to depressive episodes on its own, too.
Binge drinking increases the risk of adverse life events, as well. Binge drinking, negative life events, depressive episodes, and impaired mental health are all suicide risk factors driven by alcohol abuse. These mental health changes occur because alcohol alters our brain chemistry.
Alcohol abuse will also fuel depression in individuals with preexisting mental health conditions. When binge drinking enters the mix, mental health conditions may worsen, and depressive episodes may occur more frequently. Depressive episodes are a frequent precursor in thoughts or attempts of suicide.
Alcohol abuse creates a difficult, and often unpredictable, vicious cycle. Alcohol abuse treatment can help college students and their loved ones from a tragic ending if sought out early enough.
Alcohol Abuse Rehab Options
Individuals who abuse alcohol are more likely to be impulsive or feel aggressive. You’re more likely to feel guilty, ashamed, or depressed, as well. These behaviors put you at a greater risk for self-injury or suicide because powerful emotions like these may drive suicide thoughts.
College students who abuse alcohol and have thoughts of suicide should seek inpatient alcohol rehab care. This treatment method offers the highest level of support and supervision. The abuse of alcohol in these formative years has long-lasting implications.
Individuals who binge drink in college are more likely to have an alcohol use disorder later in life. Also, studies found that individuals involved in fraternities and sororities in college were even more likely to binge drink into their mid-thirties.
A significant link exists between college binge drinking and continued alcohol use disorders. But, a significant link also exists between the length of treatment and success rates.
The Longer You are in Treatment, the Greater Your Chances of Success
The longer you are in treatment for your alcohol abuse, the greater your chances of success. This is another reason that inpatient care is recommended in these instances. It is also one reason we offer so many treatment options at Resurgence Behavioral Health.
An inpatient program may last 30, 60, or 90+ days. However, our support doesn’t end when the program does. After an inpatient program is complete, many patients graduate to outpatient care.
After you return home, you’ll visit each week to attend therapy and support groups. You’ll develop skills, tools, and addiction management techniques. These will last a lifetime if you commit yourself to them. You’ll have access to continued care and aftercare planning and services for as long as you need them.
Inpatient Rehab for Alcohol Abuse
A stay in an alcohol rehab may come in one of several forms. When you speak with our addiction experts, they’ll help you determine the best course of action. Developing your personalized care plan will start with a confidential initial intake. We’ll need information about your alcohol intake level and other addictions. We’ll ask about your mental health, as well. These answers will help us choose the right treatment path.
Please take the time to be open and honest during your intake. We won’t share your information with anyone unless you permit us. We only need it to help you make the right addiction treatment choices. Our experts will also perform a complimentary insurance verification for you.
For most, inpatient rehab for alcohol abuse will be the most effective option. This treatment method offers 24-hour care. This is particularly vital for patients with suicidal thoughts or tendencies. We’ll give you a safe, comfortable, and monitored place to recover, likely to start with a detox.
Our detoxes are often medically-assisted. This will help to ease the pain and discomfort experienced during withdrawal. After your withdrawal symptoms have subsided, you’ll feel stronger and more confident. You’ll be ready to begin your treatment program.
Inpatient Alcohol Rehab
Inpatient alcohol treatment includes a versatile combination of proven recovery methods. You’ll find that consistent therapy provides clarity. Our mental health experts will help you address, evaluate, and overcome your alcohol addiction.
This starts with understanding why it occurs in the first place. Once we understand your triggers, we can teach you how to avoid them. Family therapy and group therapy may also be available to you. Here, you can work on repairing damaged relationships and learn from others. You’ll build support systems that you’ll carry with you for a long time.
Inpatient care also includes various holistic remedies. We provide three healthy meals and offer nutritional guidance. Choosing the right foods can improve your moods. It can also encourage healthy habits and improve your health.
We also offer exercise classes. Yoga and meditation are incredibly helpful. Additionally, with many of our facilities being minutes from a beach, you’ll always have a beautiful setting to turn to. You’ll have downtime to read, write, or enjoy sitting outside.
Our residential centers are lovingly landscaped and decorated. We’ll help you find strength, clarity, and peace in your sobriety.
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Resurgence Behavioral Health Alcohol Abuse Treatment
The link between alcohol abuse and suicide is strong. The link between comprehensive care and recovery may be stronger. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we don’t just treat your addiction. We help you improve your mental health and physical health. We also help you improve your important relationships and self-esteem too.
For a well-rounded, patient-first, customized alcohol abuse program, call us today. We’ll provide everything you need to become and remain sober.
