Suicidal behavior among substance users: data from the Second Brazilian National Alcohol and Drug Survey (II BNADS)

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the prevalence rates of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) and their association with substance use in a nationally representative sample of Brazilians.Methods:The Second Brazilian National Alcohol and Drug Survey (II BNADS) is a household cross-sectional survey that investigated the consumption of psychotropic drugs and associated risk factors. This national probability sample survey used a multistage cluster design to select 4,607 participants aged 14 or older and had a total response rate of 77%. Illegal drug use, SI and SA were obtained by confidential self-report assessment.Results:SI and SA were reported by 9.9 and 5.4% of the sample, respectively. This prevalence was 20.8 and 12.4% among individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD), 31.5 and 16.5% among cannabis users and 40.0 and 20.8% among cocaine users. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, tobacco use, family history of suicide and depression, both SI and SA were positively associated with AUD, cannabis and cocaine use.Conclusion:AUD, cannabis and cocaine use were significantly associated with SI and SA, even after the adjustments. Public health initiatives targeting suicide prevention should consider including assessment and management of substance misuse, and therapeutic approaches to substance misuse should include assessment of suicidality.

Suicidal behavior in problematic substance uses in South Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey

“…In this study, the 12 months prevalence of suicidal behavior was found to be 41.4% (95% CI: 38.2, 44.9) among residents with problematic substance use in South Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia. This finding was relatively consistent with a study done among people with drug addiction problems in Brazil, 43.9% and a study done in Frankfurt, Germany, 41% [10,26]. However, the current finding was lower than among those studies conducted in Saudi Arabia and US, where suicidal behavior was reported by 50.7 and 50.1% of people with substance misuse respectively [15,17].…”

“…From participants with problematic substance use in USA, 34.1% of them attempt suicide at least once whereas comorbid depression was increased the odds of suicidal attempt [9]. Among people with drug addiction in Brazil, 43.9% of drug users had history of suicidal behavior and depressive symptoms, family history of suicide, maternal psychiatric history and smoking were associated with suicidal ideation and attempt [10,11]. Suicidal behavior reported in 37.6% of participants who had alcohol dependence and in 29.5% of participants who had other drug dependence in USA [12].…”

Interpersonal Risk Factors for Suicide in Cocaine Dependence: Association with Self‐Esteem, Personality Traits, and Childhood Abuse

“…We did not find any studies that examined CDs or individuals with other substance use disorders versus a control group. Nevertheless, cocaine misuse is a known risk factor for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts (Abdalla et al, ; Bohnert et al, ; Pavarin & Fioritti, ). Moreover, CDs showed elevated depression and lower self‐esteem, relative to HCs.…”

“…Substance misuse is associated with an increased risk for suicide (Abdalla et al, ; Bohnert, Ilgen, Louzon, McCarthy, & Katz, ; Pavarin & Fioritti, ). Data from the Veterans Health Affairs revealed an elevated risk for suicide for all substance use disorders (Bohnert et al, ).…”

Prediction of attempted suicide in men and women with crack-cocaine use disorder in Brazil

“…A recently large-scale study with a representative sample of Brazilians found rates of suicidal attempts and deaths in the general population of 9.9 and 5.4%, respectively. In crack-cocaine users these rates were significantly higher, 40.0 and 20.8%, respectively [13]. Previous studies have shown that 47% of crack-cocaine users had a current suicide risk [14], and a prevalence of suicidal behaviors of 30% in crack-cocaine addicts, in Brazil.…”