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Coping with addiction is a tough road, and it can last a lifetime for many people. When depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are added to the mix, life can seem like one dark tunnel with no light at the end. It’s hard to see the alternative when ending the pain seems so attractive.
For that reason, it’s important to learn how to cope with those feelings and thoughts when they arrive, how to ask for help when you have an emergency situation, and how to prevent suicidal tendencies from taking over. There are many resources available to you, and the first step is to surround yourself with people who love and support you. Get the negativity out of your life, for your own peace of mind. Although addiction can sometimes bring along shame and feelings of helplessness or worthlessness, keep in mind that the people who care about you just want you to feel better, and that trained counselors are there to help you with no judgement.
Learning the best ways to cope with your feelings can be tricky; it may take counseling or therapy, and that can bring up some hard memories or realizations. Just remember that it’s all a part of healing, and finding the root of your depression or anxiety may be the key to getting on a new, healthy path.
Here are some of the best ways to cope with suicidal thoughts when you are battling addiction.
Keep resources handy
Because suicidal thoughts can sometimes creep up, it’s important to have resources on hand that you can turn to when you feel out of control. In emergency situations, it’s tough to think clearly, so you need the expertise of someone who is trained to recognize harmful thought patterns and help you move past them in a safe way.
If you are currently battling addiction, knowing some facts about how it works can help you understand why you feel the way you do. The opioid crisis is growing in America, with about 33,000 overdose deaths occurring in 2015 alone due to drugs like heroin. All too often, people find themselves in the throes of a serious drug abuse problem but feel they have nowhere to turn to. If you are having these same feelings, know that there are resources available to you.
Know the facts
Suicide is a very difficult concept to understand. It comes in many different forms, for various reasons, and sometimes there is no explanation as to why a person chooses to die by suicide, making it hard to study. What we do know is that depression and suicide are closely linked, and all too often an undiagnosed mood or mental disorder is at the root of a death by suicide. If you feel the symptoms of depression, seek help from a therapist or counselor right away.
Although suicide is most common during the spring months, the thoughts that precede it can happen at any time, to anyone, no matter their age, race, or social standing. People who own guns are the most likely to die by suicide, so if there are weapons in your home, remove them immediately for your own peace of mind and safety.
Prevention is key
Learning how to prevent suicide is not easy, even when you are the target. However, there are many things you can do to learn how to cope with the thoughts, work around the triggers, and prevent harm. These include learning self-care practices, such as getting daily exercise, engaging in art therapy, learning a new skill or language, or acquiring a service dog. You can also create some daily mantras to say to yourself to stay in a good headspace, or write down a few sentences that will bring you peace when you begin to feel those dark thoughts creep in, such as reminders that those thoughts will pass.
Suicide and addiction are heavy, complicated subjects that can cause a person to feel very alone and scared. Remember that you are not alone, and that there are many other options out there to feel better.
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