What Characterizes Substance Abusers Who Commit Suicide Attempts? Factors Related to Axis I Disorders and Patterns of Substance Use Disorders

Abstract

Objective: The frequency of suicide attempts and clinical characteristics of attempters among poly-substance abusers and alcoholics were examined. Methods: A consecutive sample (n = 260) of in- and outpatients from two Norwegian counties were assessed by Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Axis I disorders), Millon’s Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (Axis II disorders) and the Norwegian National Client Assessment Form. When analysing the association between suicide attempters and the range of predictor variables, logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: Almost half (47%) of the sample reported lifetime suicide attempts; significantly more frequently in poly-substance abusers (58%) than alcoholics (38%). A substance use disorder with duration of ≧15 years and an early onset (<18 years of age) were independently associated with being a suicide attempter after controlling for Axis I disorders. In addition, eating disorders, agoraphobia and major depression were strongly and independently associated with being a suicide attempter. Conclusion: Attempts at preventing suicidal behaviour should not ignore the suicide risk among poly-substance abusers. In addition, prevention of suicidal behaviour demands a treatment programme focusing concomitantly on both addictive behaviour and comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Hazardous and Harmful Alcohol Consumption Among Non-Psychotic Psychiatric Clinic Attendees in Oman

“…As indexed by most scoring highly on the AUDIT, it appears the level of hazardous and harmful drinking is quite high among this group of patients. Studies from Northern America and Scandinavia suggest that non-psychotic patients with mood, anxiety and or personality disorders are prone to alcohol induced problems (Cantor-Graae, Nordstrom, & McNeil, 2001;Dawson, Grant, Stinson, & Chou, 2005;Landheim, Bakken, & Vaglum, 2006). There are suggestions that these patients consider the consumption of alcohol as 'self-medication.'…”

Addiction Severity and Suicidal Behaviors Among Persons Entering Treatment

“…Indeed, many studies found that polydrug use or combination of alcohol and another drug increase the risk of suicidal behavior (Bohnert, Roeder, & Ilgen, 2010;Darke & Ross, 2002;Darke, Ross, Lynskey, & Teesson, 2004;Delisle, 2009;Landheim, Bakken, & Vaglum, 2006;Mino et al, 1999;Preuss et al, 2002). A meta-analysis estimates standardized mortality ratios (SMR 1 ) for suicide as follows: alcohol use disorder (SMR = 979), opioid use disorder (SMR = 1351) and polydrug use (SMR = 1685) (Wilcox, Conner, & Caine, 2004).…”

Physical and Psycho-Social Predictors of Adolescents’ Suicide Behaviors

“…Many studies have been conducted to examine risk factors for adolescent suicide. Most adolescent risk models for suicide contain ''traditional'' risk factors such as depression or substance use (Docksai 2009;Landheim et al 2006;Méan et al 2005). However, other possible factors such as body dissatisfaction or risky sexual behaviors have lacked adequate research and evaluation in general, even though these factors have been prevalent among adolescents and associated with risk factors for suicide (Barker and Galambos 2003;Goode 2001).…”