Addiction Recovery Basics

Knowledge of suicide and prevention methods, although it is not water cooler discussion, may help save a life, even your own. It is possible to identify people or in a high risk category for injuring themselves or even committing suicide. Just as addiction can be thought of as applying a short-term solution to long term problem, suicide is applying a permanent solution to a short-term problem.

Here are some signs of and questions to be answered that may indicate a person is in danger from suicidal thoughts and intentions:

*They are currently using drugs or alcohol.
*Is there a past history of suicidal attempts?
*Hopelessness and depression?
*Are their dramatic mood swings in mood changes going on?
*Are they happy feeling trapped like the walls closing in and there's no way out of their problems?

*Are they speaking about having no reason for living losing purpose in their live?
*Are they taking impulsive risky and dangerous actions?

If you suspect suicidal intentions:

1. Ask the person directly, if they are having thought about suicide, this will not provoke them to action. A lot of people just want to be heard. For example:

Are you thinking about killing yourself?
Are you thinking about hurting yourself today?

2. Determine if they have a solid and a concrete plan to do so? A time frame?

3. Do they have access to the means to do so?

Take Action:

Do not leave the person all if you think they might hurt themselves.

1. Tell them I'm going to get you some help. (but don’t leave them alone}
2. You can call the national suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273 –TALK they will transfer you to the nearest crisis center and have them speak to a trained interventionist.
3. If the threat is real and imminent call the police, they are trained in these situations.

We know that life in active in addiction is a tangled web of chaos and depression. Sometimes though, life in addiction recovery is not all a bed of roses. Just as we must be ever aware cravings leading to a return to use, we must be ever vigilant of hopelessness and depression. Just as we acquire sobriety tips and tools and hope there is no need to use them knowledge of suicide and prevention may come in handy, after alll the stakes are high and permanent

There is a gallery of sober living and life skill information available in the free, 89 page Recovery Rolodex, Click Here

Is Your Recovery Bullet-Proof? At The Recovery Club, we address the undlerlying issues of addiction. I invite you to claim your free mini-course
"5 Avoidable Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Recovery"
Click On: The Recovery Club

Technorati Tags: depression, suicide, suicide prevention