Risk factors for suicide attempts in community alcohol treatment

Abstract

Background Alcohol Use Disorder is associated with suicide and suicide attempts, and addiction treatment services have a role in suicide prevention. We aimed to identify risk factors for suicide attempt among a cohort of community-based alcohol treatment service users. Methods Linked data from 4415 adults accessing secondary addiction services for alcohol treatment between 2006 and 2019 in London, UK, were used to identify risk factors for suicide attempt. Cox proportional hazards regression estimated the relative increase or decrease in hazard associated with each risk factor on a composite outcome event; death by suicide or contact with emergency psychiatric care within one year of starting treatment. Findings There were 468 (10.5%) crisis care contact events, and <10 suicide deaths. After adjustment, factors associated with increased hazard of crisis care contact or death by suicide were history of suicide attempt (HR 1.83[1.43-2.33]), poor mental health (HR 1.81[1.41-2.32]), current suicidal ideation (HR 1.65[1.18-2.31]), use of drugs other than cocaine, cannabis and opiates (HR 1.41[1.02-1.95]), female sex (HR 1.34[1.10-1.65]) and social isolation (HR 1.24[1.02 - 1.51]). Factors associated with reduced hazard of crisis care contact or death by suicide were alcohol abstinence (HR 0.51[0.31-0.83], ref>30 units), drinking 1-15 units (HR 0.64[0.49-0.85], ref>30 units), Black ethnicity (HR 0.61[0.45-0.83]) and living with children (HR 0.74[0.56-0.99]). Interpretation The identified risk factors for suicide attempt can help risk formulation and safety planning among patients accessing alcohol treatment services. Funding National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London.