RIP Kurt Cobain – Let’s Talk Suicide Prevention & Drug Abuse

Seventeen years ago today, Kurt Cobain was found dead; a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head was ruled the cause of death.

RIP Kurt Cobain 1967-1994

It seemed the “Rock God” of the Seattle grunge movement had committed suicide.

But why?

Kurt Cobain’s lyrics are filled with the pain of someone dealing with frequent inner demons.  I don’t say demons in the literal sense, but more as a feeling – the intense depression he suffered from and his heroin addiction.

Addiction Sometimes Follows Depression

Addiction comes in various forms, but most are harmful.  Kurt Cobain went the way of drugs – heroin, specifically.  Heroin would have helped him cope with the mental anguish he was suffering from, but then he would’ve required more and more of the drug to feel better…eventually requiring obscene amounts to just feel “normal”.  Heroin addiction is one of the worst kinds of addiction, because the user eventually begins to feel worse than they did before the drugs, making them more desperate for their next fix.

In fact, Kurt Cobain’s addiction put it him in a coma from which he was lucky enough to recover.

Heroin is a temporary band-aid…it won’t last for long, it’s been contaminated, and pulling it off quickly is the best way to stop.

Not all people who are depressed have addictions or addictive personalities, but it is frequently the case.  It could be illegal substances, such as heroin in Cobain’s situation, abuse of prescription drugs, alcohol, smoking (cigarettes), food or even Internet usage.

The point here is that, even if his heroin addiction was addressed properly, he still had another problem that was just as serious -  a problem that led him to addiction.  Kurt Cobain was severely depressed.

Depression and Suicide Prevention

Not all depressed people are suicidal.  Let me just lay that out on the table right now.

However, many are, or have been at some point in their lives.  While I am not suicidal presently, it wasn’t long after the death of Kurt Cobain that I was a suicidal 15 year old girl struggling to maintain her sanity.

I was fortunate to have enough people who loved and cared about me, in addition to not having the choice to seek help as I was a minor, that led me on the path to recovery.  While I was extremely troubled, I was helped through it by my parents, a single friend who I could count on no matter what (we’re still friends), a counselor and anti-depressants (although I argue that those particular pills were not helpful as I was not properly diagnosed at the time).

I battled addiction.  I abused my prescription drugs, though not often.  It was hard not to swallow the entire bottle some days when I just thought my head might explode.  I was also a cutter.  I’m lucky that I don’t have any physical scars from it, as many do, but I did it just the same.  That was the harder addiction to overcome.

I haven’t cut myself in 14 years.  I haven’t wanted to cut myself in 5 years.

That’s addiction.  You may not indulge in the desire to do something that will temporarily relieve your mental anguish, but the desire is still there.

And for many, there is a desire to commit suicide.  They simply haven’t followed through with it yet.

Here are a few things you should always do if you even think that someone you know is suicidal:

1. Take all suicide threats seriously,
2. Pay attention to changes in behavior or mood,
3. Note if the individual suddenly doesn’t want to do something that he/she usually enjoys,
4. Be there for them, and
   
5. Tell someone who can help – a parent, a spouse, a teacher, counselor – someone who can get this person the help he/she needs.

The plus side to what I went through, I’ve been able to help others going through the same thing.  I didn’t ignore it, like most of my peers did.  Many would just roll their eyes and say that someone was just being dramatic and wanted attention, or they were “stupid”.  However, as I had been through it myself, I wasn’t even out of high school before I was helping others dealing with these same issues.

Oftentimes, it’s the person whom you least expect to be depressed.  After all, what reason would Kurt Cobain, the most famous & successful musician during the time, have to be depressed and suicidal?

There is no rhyme or reason to depression.   Anyone could be suffering, and it could be the person you least expect it to be.

Are You Feeling Depressed or Suicidal?

If you are currently thinking about ending your own life, or you are about to carry out a suicide plan, call 9-1-1 immediately.   That is the best course of action.

If you are depressed, try a suicide prevention hotline:

1-800-273-TALK

or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline web site:  http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

It’s too late for Kurt Cobain.  But it’s not too late for you or someone you love.  Get help today for your depression or addiction, and prevent another suicide.

RIP Kurt Cobain (1967 – 1994)

Related articles

• Remembering Kurt Cobain, 17 Years After His Death (newsroom.mtv.com)
• WE REMEMBER: Kurt Cobain (spin.com)
• Kurt Cobain’s death: 17 years on (independent.co.uk)