Adolescent's Suicide Attempts: Populations at Risk, Vulnerability, and Substance Use

Abstract

Adolescence corresponds to a transition period that requires adaptation and change capacities and skills. Most young people succeed with this challenge, whereas a minority fail. In order to identify with the teenage culture, become autonomous, and differentiate from their parents, some adolescents choose to use drugs, beginning with the use of cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis, followed by other illicit drugs such as opiates and stimulants. A high proportion of these adolescents attempt suicide, which is the primary cause of death during adolescence in many European countries. Who are the "vulnerable" adolescents? What are the mechanisms that can explain the varieties of drug-use initiation or suicide attempts? Can "protective factors" be identified? What kind of strategies might be developed at a social and political level in order to prevent or to minimize drug abuse and suicide attempts, among other harmful behaviors? These issues will be discussed on the basis of the recent literature and in the light of a recent study carried out in the French-speaking part of Switzerland on large cohorts of adolescent drug users. Unresolved critical issues are noted and future needed research is suggested.

Psychotherapy in the treatment of alcohol and substance abusing adolescents with suicidal behavior

“…Even low levels of tobacco use have been associated with increased suicidal behaviors (6). Co-morbidity increased the risk for suicidal behaviors, especially substance use disorders with mood disorders (11,13). Wagner et al (17) found that adolescents with depression were at a greater risk for attempted suicide, when they also had a comorbid alcohol use disorder.…”

“…Suicidal behavior results from a convergence of several risk factors and the absence of several protective factors (13). A model of suicidal behavior among individuals with alcoholism has recently been proposed (14).…”

Personality vulnerabilities in adolescent suicidality: The mediating role of psychological distress

“…Thus, it is important to more fully understand the risk factors in order to develop procedures for early intervention. The present study examines the mediating role of psychological distress (depression and social withdrawal) in the relationship between two primary vulnerability factors, interpersonal dependency and self-criticism in suicidality, including ideation, reported intention, and past attempts as indicators of suicidality (e.g., Ash, 2006;Bolognini, Plancherel, Laget, & Halfon, 2003;Joiner et al, 2005;King et al, 2001;Roberts, Roberts, & Chen, 1998).…”

O uso da maconha associado ao déficit de habilidades sociais em adolescentes

“…Esse é momento propício ao surgimento do consumo de drogas, pois, como o indivíduo ainda não desenvolveu de forma adequada algumas habilidades, pode ser estimulado ao uso de cigarros, álcool, maconha até ao consumo de múltiplas drogas ilícitas (1)(2) .…”