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RISE Blog | How Alcohol Can Affect Depression and Suicide

Written By: Faith Dolan & Larissa Vargas, Peer Educators
Edited By: Catherine Cespedes & Haley Wallace
April 5th, 2024

TW: Discussion of suicide, depression, and substance abuse

College is a time of change and self-discovery. For many, it marks the first contact with adult life and the freedom to make choices. Many students encounter drinking and partying throughout their time in college. If you choose to partake, there is no shame, and you are not alone; reportedly, 73.2% of Texas Tech students have tried alcohol (RISE ACHA, 2022). However, learning how alcohol can affect your body and mind may help you make more informed choices about your behavior. 

Exploring Mental Health

Mental health influences most college students, so it's important to understand it's nuances.

Depression can be a prevalent issue during time at university as it affects 44% of college students (Alonso, 2023). Additionally, 1 in 3 TTU students screened positive for a significant risk of suicidal behavior (RISE ACHA, 2022). Understanding these statistics highlights the importance of addressing mental health challenges in academic settings.

Depression: “[A] common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. It causes feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed” (APA, 2020).

Suicidal Ideation: occurs “when someone has thoughts about ending their life, methods or plans to do so, or a feeling that people would be better off without them”.

Now that we have a better understanding of depression and suicidal ideation, let's debunk some myths about drinking and explore the impacts alcohol can have on depression. This knowledge will help clarify misconceptions and shed light on the relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health challenges. 

The Temporary Escape 

There's a common misconception that alcohol can alleviate symptoms of depression like sadness or anxiety. However, while substance use may temporarily mask feelings, it doesn't make them disappear; it often just postpones them for later.

Alcohol affects brain areas that regulate emotions (Legg, 2020), creating a false sense of feeling better due to its initial mood boost. Yet, this euphoric feeling can be short-lived due to alcohol's biphasic property, with depressive effects following. Moreover, alcohol can lower inhibitions, causing suppressed emotions to resurface. Depending on alcohol to escape negative feelings can lead to unhealthy patterns and hinder problem-solving.

Recognizing that alcohol may not be an effective long-term solution for alleviating mental health concerns can help us understand its impact on our overall well-being. This awareness prompts a closer examination of how alcohol affects our mental health.

The Intersection of Depression, Alcohol, and Suicide Risk

Depression, especially when unaddressed, can increase the risk of suicide. When alcohol is added to the mix, the risk can escalate significantly. According to the ACHA Report, 4.5% of TTU students reported seriously considering suicide within the last 12 months while drinking alcohol (RISE ACHA, 2022). While this percentage may seem small, considering Texas Tech's student population of approximately 40,000, the numbers become concerning (~1,800 students).

Alcohol can worsen suicidal thoughts by suppressing brain activity associated with inhibitions. Additionally, many depression treatments involve antidepressants, which can have dangerous interactions with alcohol, increasing health risks and intensifying medication side effects.

Understanding these risks underscores the importance of recognizing signs of distress and seeking help promptly for anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm.

Empowering Outreach: Supporting Others and Ensuring Your Own Well-being

Understanding the impact of alcohol on depression and suicidal thoughts is crucial, but equally important is knowing how to respond when someone is experiencing suicidal ideation. Recognizing the signs can be key to intervening and providing support. Keep an eye out for these signs: (National Institute of Mental Health)

  • Mentioning thoughts of ending life.
  • Planning or looking for ways to kill themselves.
  • Making final arrangements or giving away possessions.
  • Unbearable emotional pain.
  • Taking great risks that could lead to death.
  • Decreased interest in things they previously enjoyed.
  • Withdrawing from family and friends or talking about being a burden.
  • Sudden changes in behavior and/or personality.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal ideation, here are five steps that can help develop an action plan:

  1. Be straight forward and ask “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Research shows that asking this question does not increase suicidal thoughts. When addressing such sensitive issues, clarity and directness are crucial.
  2. Stay safe. Ensure safety by keeping away from highly lethal places or items. Taking this step can help prevent suicide.
  3. Be there. Offer support by being present and actively listening to the individual's thoughts and emotions.
  4. Get Connected. There are different ways to get connected to resources. Going to a professional or trusted person is inclined as a first choice. But if this isn't an option, here are some resource numbers to keep handy or in your phone contacts:    
    1. TTU Crisis Helpline: 806-742-5555
    2. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
    3. Crisis Text Line: 741741
  5. Stay connected. Staying in touch after a crisis can make a significant difference.

If you or someone you know is experiencing increased suicidal ideation or depression, whether or not alcohol is involved, it's important to know that help is always available and accessible. Additional resources and support can be found at the end of this blog.

You're Not Alone

While drinking alcohol can be normalized among college students, it's crucial to be aware of how it can negatively impact individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

If you or someone you know is experiencing increased depression or suicidal thoughts when drinking, seeking help and support is essential. There are various resources available to assist in guidance during challenging times. Remember, reaching out for help is a courageous and important step towards well-being and recovery.

If you or someone you know feels lonely or isolated during a difficult time, remember that RISE is here to support you and wants to see you thrive as the beautiful human being you are. We can help direct you to resources and provide additional helpful information as needed. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us! You are not alone, and we are here to help.

  • Address: Drane Hall, Suite 247
  • Phone: 806.742.2110
  • Email: rise@ttu.edu 

Resources

References:

Alonso, J. (2023). Student Mental Health Worsens, but More are Seeking Help. Inside Higher Ed. 

Drinkaware. (2022). Alcohol and suicidal thoughts. 

Hall-Flavin, D. (2017). Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?. Mayo Clinic. 

National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). 5 action steps for helping someone in emotional pain. 

National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Suicide prevention. 

Raypole, C. (2020). Depression after drinking: Causes and how to Cope. Healthline. 

Torres, F. (2020). What is depression?. American Psychiatric Association. 

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