Suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors may cause setbacks in treatment and recovery for clients with substance use disorder (SUD). Many individuals with suicidal ideation experience intrusive thoughts or compulsions during periods of increased stress, including early treatment. Clients may hesitate to disclose these thoughts and behaviors with their care team. Understanding how suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors may affect patterns of thought and behavior can help healthcare professionals effectively treat clients. Driftwood Recovery ensures all staff members know how to recognize the signs of suicidal ideation or self-harming behaviors.
What Are Self-Harming Behaviors?
Everyone reacts differently to stress, trauma, and other factors that may contribute to self-harming behaviors. A person’s support network, coping skills, and mental health all play an integral role in their recovery from substance abuse. Healthcare professionals use comprehensive assessments to determine what factors may impact clients during rehabilitation. Some individuals may report self-harming behaviors or thoughts, including suicidal ideation.
A few examples of self-harming behaviors clients may exhibit during treatment include:
- Cutting
- Scratching to the point of injury
- Hair pulling
- Burning
- Hitting or banging
- Ingesting harmful substances or self-poisoning
- Deliberately reopening wounds
- Biting
- Scarification
- Unsuccessful suicide attempts
Clients may engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) if they have difficulty processing or expressing intense emotions during treatment and continuing care. Part of treatment involves ensuring clients have the coping skills, tools, and resources to maintain emotional stability as they move through the various stages of recovery.
Suicidal Ideation and Client Safety
Clients may find it challenging to discuss their self-harming or suicidal thoughts and urges. Studies have shown that “[i]f the person who has self-harmed finds it difficult to vocalise their distress when they are in need of care, support the person and their family members or carers (as appropriate) in trying alternative methods of communication (such as non-verbal language, letters, emotional wellbeing passports, and using agreed safe words, phrases or emojis).”
Healthcare workers must recognize the warning signs and learn to communicate effectively with clients who struggle to speak about their intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. Individuals working in healthcare find ways to effectively communicate with clients who struggle to talk about suicidal or self-harming thoughts. For example, clinicians may ask clients to write down their thoughts or journal about certain behaviors to establish a pattern. Recognizing the signs of client distress makes it easier for clients and clinicians to stay on the same page without causing additional stress.
4 Indicators of Suicidal Ideation or Self-Harming Behaviors
Healthcare professionals receive training on how to identify signs of suicidal ideation or self-harming behaviors. However, sometimes, clients display subtle outward changes that indicate significant internal distress. Below are four potential warning signs of self-harming or suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
#1. Socially Withdrawing From Loved Ones
People who have close relationships with loved ones may begin to withdraw socially if they start to harm themselves or have thoughts of harming themselves. Individuals in treatment may avoid loved ones out of guilt or shame if they feel compelled to hurt themselves. Sudden social withdrawal may also indicate someone with chronic suicidal ideation has considered acting on their intrusive thoughts. Healthcare workers should carefully monitor client’s social interactions to make it easier for them to notice uncharacteristic self-isolating behaviors.
#2. Frequently Talking About Dying
Individuals who frequently talk about death, dying, or wanting to die may have an increased risk of acting on suicidal or self-harming thoughts. Some clients may make throwaway or sarcastic comments about wishing they were dead or ways in which they may harm themselves. Healthcare workers should always take these comments at face value and monitor for other behavioral changes to determine if the client is a danger to themselves.
#3. Secretive Behaviors Accompanied By Unexplained Injuries
Clients may begin harming themselves before or during treatment for substance abuse and mental health conditions. Often, clients try to hide when they hurt themselves due to guilt, shame, the stigma surrounding self-harm, or fear of getting into trouble. Staff members at Driftwood Recovery monitor client routines and behaviors to make spotting secretive behavior easier.
Abrupt and unexplained changes in personal appearance are another possible warning sign of self-harming behaviors. Clients suddenly wearing layers or long shirts, even in warm weather, may be attempting to hide self-inflicted injuries. Often, clients provide excuses for the presence of bruises, cuts, burns, or other injuries. Staff members take a detailed client history during intake to ensure they can navigate conversations surrounding personal appearance and injuries without causing conflict.
#4. Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harming Behaviors May Cause People to Give Away Prized Possessions
If someone with suicidal ideation or a history of self-harming behaviors begins to give away all of their prized possessions, it may indicate they plan to act on their thoughts. People who intend to seriously harm or kill themselves may see no point in holding on to cherished items, giving them away to loved ones or strangers. Some individuals who have attempted suicide reported giving away items with significant sentimental value very shortly before they took steps to end their lives.
Individuals experiencing substance use disorder or mental health issues have a higher risk of developing suicidal ideation or self-harming behaviors. In some cases, clients may not understand their own thoughts or behaviors. Healthcare workers must know what signs to look for and how to respond appropriately to ensure clients remain safe during treatment. Learning common warning signs of self-harming or suicidal thoughts and behaviors allows healthcare workers to intervene and provide support services. Driftwood Recovery ensures all clinicians and support staff know how to recognize the potential signs and how to effectively treat clients struggling with high-risk symptoms. To learn more about our programs and how we ensure client safety, call us today at (512) 759-8330.