Alcohol consumption may substantially increase suicide risk: Dal psychologist

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can reach Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (5 p.m. – 1 a.m. AT) 

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

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A Dalhousie University professor is sounding the alarm on the link between alcohol consumption and suicide.

Dr. Simon Sherry of CRUX Psychology is a researcher in a recent study that suggests alcohol is a leading cause of death by suicide.

Sherry and his team combed through 33 studies involving around 10 million participants that looked at whether drinking behaviour influenced the odds of eventually dying by suicide.

“And what we found is that your risk of dying by suicide goes up by 94 per cent if you are someone who drinks alcohol, so this identifies alcohol as a substantial risk factor,” he told CityNews Halifax.

“And in certain circumstances, that risk can increase to an even greater level. For instance we found that drinking members of the military were 282 per cent more likely to die by suicide as opposed to those who do not drink.”

He said frequently binge drinking can affect the brain.

“Your neurotransmitters can become dysregulated,” he explained. “Beyond that on a psychological level, if you ingest enough alcohol you can become aggressive and that can be linked to suicide. You can also become disinhibited and impervious to pain and that may increase the likelihood you’re going to make a suicide attempt.”

He added long term alcohol-use can foster depression and anxiety, which can lead to people looking for an escape.

In Canada, 12 people die by suicide each day, but another 200 make a attempt.

Sherry said we’re experiencing a suicide crisis, and that combined with Atlantic Canada’s drinking culture makes this issue particularly important in Nova Scotia.

He said 142 Nova Scotians died by suicide in 2021, the highest number we had seen to date, and an 89 per cent increase from the 75 in the year 2000. Preliminary data suggests an even bigger number of such deaths in 2022.

“So we should be talking about and thinking about the causes and prevention of suicide.”

He believes an increase on taxation of alcohol could help.

“Places that tax alcohol more heavily, they see a drop in the suicide rate,” Sherry said.

“You could also introduce what are called mandatory minimums. There are certain inexpensive but popular beverages that have a substance users tend to lean on. If you raise the pricing around such beverages you’ll see less consumption and changes in suicide rates.”

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can reach Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7) or text 45645 (5 p.m. – 1 a.m. AT) 

Nova Scotia’s Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 by calling toll-free 1-888-429-8167. 

Kids Help Phone counsellors can be reached at 1-800-668-6868, or by texting CONNECT to 686868.