I question these numbers and wonder if a further examination of the drinking tendencies of church members should be examined in the future. Often those attempting suicide have failed, or feel they have failed, in successfully interacting with those around them. Fearing ridicule, alcohol may be used to attempt to block out these feelings of worthlessness. Being a depressant however, alcohol may amplify these feelings and the individual may attempt suicide. MicroCase backs up this idea with the strong correlation between alcohol consumption and the number of suicides.
Alcoholism is a chronic illness which manifests itself as a disorder of behavior.
This type of social dysfunction can be detrimental to the individual and all of those around him. Usually the family structure of the individual suffers, along with employment, and all of these causation factors only increase the accompanying depression. To fight this illness, alcoholics must first admit they have a problem and seek out help in recovering. Those seeking treatment may either seek professional medical help through hospitals and private clinics, or they may decide to rely upon the services of such groups as Alcoholics Anonymous. Such a group relies upon a group of previous alcoholics to aid in the recovery of a current alcoholic.