National Survivors of Suicide Day

In the past I attempted suicide, I know now that my abuse of Alcohol was the reason I went down that road. For me it was a solution, a way out, I had problems witch left me unable to face another day, truth be told my problems were because my life was controlled by my drinking, I could not manage from day to day, I was living from hand to mouth, existing, I felt a complete failure, when I drank I would dwell on these feelings and every thing became huge in my mind, small issues became insurmountable, this led me into periods of deep depression and I self medicated by drinking, Alcohol being a depressive made this depression much worse, it was a vicious circle and one I could see no way out of. It was when I sought help that things changed, this help came from my Doctor to start with. I would urge anyone caught in the grip of depression who may think that Alcohol is a solution to think again, it will make things worse, get help.
Today the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will be sponsoring its 12th annual National Survivors of Suicide Day. This event, designed to reach out to those who have lost a loved one to suicide, offers participants a chance to connect with other survivors for support and healing.
Alcohol can contribute to worsening an individual’s problems if they already have a pre-existing mental health issue while on-going problem alcohol use can lead to an individual developing mental health issues. Alcohol can affect our ability to cope, manage and overcome everyday stresses and significant life events such as unemployment or bereavement. It can also reduce inhibitions enough for an individual to act on suicidal thoughts which they might never have done if not under the influence of alcohol.

The World Health Organisation has estimated that the risk of suicide when a person is currently abusing alcohol is eight times greater than if they were not abusing alcohol.

[ibizan]

Before my spiritual awakening which will be 11-22 anniversary of 27 years sober/clean i was sitting on my bed at 3am drunk and w/ a variety of drugs in me re-running a suicidal plan in my head which had seemed like a good option for several months.I am so glad today i did not attempt this plan for I have the joy of my life which is animal rescue and my greyhounds and helping any animal i can in need.Plus being clear headed and helping any other sufferring alcoholic/addict who is willing to do the work it takes to recover!So Glad u r still with us my irish cyber friend Rod!

[rod44]

Still here ibizan, went for coffee this morning, I was on my own, it was most enjoyable to sit with my Newspaper my coffee and relax, like you I have a clear head and peace of mind. Asking for help when I needed it was the best decision, the most important decision I ever made.
I hope you and your dear greyhounds are well, I know just how much you cherish them :)

[dominosarah]

I raise my coffee cup to a couple very special friends who i have had the pleasure to meet thru this forum.  May you both continue on your road to recovery~~~~~You have both made a huge difference in my life.            sara

[rod44]

Thanks Sara.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts.

And we are never, ever the same.

[dominosarah]

sniff sniff~~~

[narla]

I often became suicidal in the grips of alcohol,I'd be drinking with tears flooding my face telling myself how worthless I was,wanting my misery to end,the misery that I myself was creating day after day,drinking was my escape only I really never could get away,it reached out and clung on determined never to release me,

Then I somehow got the courage to fight for my life,but in the beginning the thoughts of suicide became worse,I was ready to give up thinking there were no answers,that my life would be forever miserable and a constant battle.

My life now is never miserable,it is still a constant battle and I now understand it always will be,but sobriety is well worth that battle.  

[dominosarah]

And i am raising another cup of coffee to you my friend~~~~~

[Punkinhead75]

I once tried suicide when I was 20 yrs old.  It was more of an obsessive compulsive thing more than depression.  I had thought about death and dieing and killing myself all throughout highschool but somehow never did anything.  One day I had made a decision to act on my thoughts and I can honestly say is was the most peace I had felt in a long time.  Well it didn't work and I made a decision to not try again.  Again I was at peace.  I started getting more into drinking and drugging and over the years the progression caught up with me.  I hit a bottom, got some help and through working the twelve steps I know life as I never have before.  I am so grateful to be alive and to have gotten through all the stuff I did.  It just goes to show (at least me anyway) there has always been a Higher Power working in my life.  One of the true gifts I've been blessed with is to have the experience of living with some crazy thinking.  Glad we're all here today!!!

[Audrey_M]

This is a very timely post for me.

One year ago, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, my cousin deliberately drank himself to death out in the cold. He had been in and out of rehab for years and in the months preceding his death, the psychiatrists told his mother that he was highly suicidal and it was only a matter of time before he succeeded.

When the EMTs arrived, he was clinically dead, with a body core temperature that defied revival. The EMTs worked on him for over an hour and managed to get a faint pulse. He was in fact brain dead by that time, but put on life support. The family gathered from across the country and in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day, life support was discontinued with him legally dead shortly thereafter.

[ibizan]

ah how tragic sigh!the unpredictability of the alcoholic brain!what an interesting life u have had...and I LOVE Audrey Hepburn.....what a class act she was!i am addicted to Turner Classic Movie Channel.....i could watch old movies by the hour!learned that one of my favs Bela Lugosi was a Demerol addict and when he was at the depths of his addiction and broke...ended up in detox for the umpteenth time...and Frank Sinatra paid his hospital bill-Frank a fan!