Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul. ~Henry Van Dyke
Alcohol has been known to play a role in suicides, but until now, there has been little data about victims’ use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in a large sample of suicide victims whose blood alcohol levels were measured after death, one in four had been legally drunk with a level at or above the federal standard of 0.08, or 8 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
“Alcohol is a component of suicidal behavior,” said Dr. Alex Crosby, author of the report. “It leads to disinhibition, and it can enhance feelings of hopelessness and depression. Alcohol impairs judgement and can lead to much more impulsive behavior. Any suicide prevention efforts must take that into account and address alcohol and substance abuse as well.”
The typical scenario is that a young adult who is already troubled suffers a setback, such as a job loss or the collapse of a relationship, and starts binge drinking. It is not clear if they get drunk to commit suicide, or if when they are drunk they are more likely to commit suicide.