Substance abuse and suicide risk among adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to review the literature concerning the relationship between suicide and substance abuse behaviours among adolescents, focusing on epidemiology, comorbidity and preventive programmes. We performed a Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, PsycLit and PsycInfo search to identify all papers and book chapters during the period between 1980 and 2011. Adolescents with substance abuse disorder who attempt or complete suicide can be characterized as having mood disorders, stressful life events, interpersonal problems, poor social support, lonely lives and feelings of hopelessness. The research supports the existence of a strong relationship between suicide and substance abuse. Preventive programmes should be based on the detection of risk factors associated with both suicide and substance abuse disorder. Management programmes should combine different therapeutic strategies such as peer-to-peer education, school-based programmes, psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment. Evidence suggests that targeted suicide prevention programmes can be delivered which reduce the burden associated with substance abuse and suicide in youths.

Alcohol Consumption as a Risk Factor for Suicidal Behavior: A Systematic Review of Associations at the Individual and at the Population Level

“…Pompili et al (2012) refer to the same two primary studies regarding prevalence of alcohol abuse in suicide attempts. …”

Prevalencia de intento de suicidio adolescente y factores de riesgo asociados en una comuna rural de la provincia de Concepción

“…Consumo de tabaco y de sustancias ilícitas se relacionan a intento de suicidio, pese a que las prevalencias reportadas fueron francamente menores que las esperadas para la población adolescente, esto coincide con la literatura 41,42 . La asociación de las variables psicológicas baja autoestima, alto nivel de desesperanza y presencia de sintomatología depresiva con intento de suicidio está ampliamente descrita en la literatura y es consistente con los hallazgos del análisis bivariado del presente estudio [6][7][8][9]12,13,41 .…”

Auditory Processing Learning Disability, Suicidal Ideation, and Transformational Faith

“…Schiff et al (2009) concurred andDaigle et al (2011) deduced that deficits in problem solving strategies influenced suicidal ideation, attempt, and repeat attempts. The lack of problem solving and decision-making skill can also contribute to substance abuse and other risk factors (Pompili et al, 2012;Dhawan et al, 2007). Researchers at Columbia University (Daw, 2001) examined the link between LD and substance abuse and found several other shared risk factors including low self-esteem and social skill deficits.…”