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Welcome
Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor |
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“Mood
disorders, or mood disorders in combination with alcohol
and drug abuse, are by far the most common psychiatric conditions
associated with suicide. In fact, some type of depression
is almost ubiquitous in those who kill themselves”
“In
its severe forms, depression paralyzes all of the otherwise
vital forces that make us human, leaving instead a bleak,
despairing, desperate, and deadened state. It is
a barren, fatiguing and agitated condition; one without
hope or capacity…”
Jamison,
K. R. (1999). Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide.
New York, NY: Vintage Books: 103-104. |
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Alcohol
and Other Drug (AOD) counselors work with clients who are
abusing, dependent, and/or addicted to licit and illicit substances.
Additionally, AOD counselors work with clients who
often have a dual diagnosis (Reference 1). AOD counselors
need to recognize the risk associated with drug use for suicidal
behavior in order to keep clients safe from self-harm.
The
facts
Individuals
with alcohol use disorders complete about 25 percent of all
suicides in the United States. Alcohol inebriation
is indicated in up to 64 percent of suicide attempts.
Abuse of illicit substances also is associated with a significant
increase in the rate of suicide (Reference 2).
Substance
use, abuse, and dependence are important factors associated
with suicide and AOD counselors should incorporate this fact
into their assessment and treatment of clients. |
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| What
to look for as an AOD counselor |
| Learning
about suicide and the association of suicide with alcohol and
other drug use can aid AOD counselors in proactively preventing
suicide in their agency and community. |
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| What
to do to help as an AOD counselor |
| Through
proper awareness, assessment, and intervention AOD counselors
can better address the needs of their clients and keep their
clients safe from self-harm. |
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| What
education is available for an AOD counselor
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| Find
education resources like continuing education opportunities
and publications that can help AOD counselors to increase their
current understanding of suicide and suicide prevention.
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| What
researchers are doing to impact AOD counselors
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| Find
research resources like statistics and research institutions
that can help AOD counselors to keep their knowledge of suicide
and suicide prevention current. |
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| What
other resources are available for AOD counselors
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| Find
additional suicide prevention resources that do not “fit” into
a general category to continue to advance the learning and resources
available for AOD counselors. |
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| AOD counselor as intermediary
pages were last updated April 12, 2004 |
