Publications

Addiction, Treatment, Attempted Suicide Link Examined

The suicide rate among patients with substance-use disorders (SUDs) prior to treatment may be as high as 45%. Little is known, however, about suicide risk factors during treatment and after discharge. To improve treatment options for those with potential for self harm, researchers in a recent study compared rates of suicide attempts of patients in the year prior to treatment versus the year following discharge. Treatment setting (outpatient and residential), length of treatment, availability and use of psychiatric treatment were also examined. The goal of the study was to identify aspects of treatment that may be important in preventing suicide attempts.

Participants in the study were men and women, most of whom had sought treatment for either alcohol and/or cocaine use. There were 31 outpatient programs and 23 residential programs involved, with the length of treatment averaging two months. Patients were interviewed at intake prior to treatment, when discharged, and one year after discharge. Twenty-six percent of 3,733 participants reported a suicide attempt during their lifetime and nine percent reported a suicide attempt within the twelve months prior to treatment.

At intake 67% of those who had attempted suicide reported that the attempts involved alcohol or drug use. These patients were more likely to be female and in treatment for problems with alcohol, cocaine, or more than one substance. Two percent of the patients reported suicide attempts during treatment and four percent reported an attempt in the year following discharge. Of these, 74% reported that their attempts were the result of drugs or alcohol.

Researchers found that suicide attempts during treatment were approximately three times as prevalent in outpatient programs as with residential programs. Patients involved in lengthier treatment programs had lower rates of attempts in the year following treatment. They suggest that a combination of residential treatment and follow-on treatment is appropriate for patients at high risk for suicide.

(Ilgen, MA, Jain, A, Lucas, E, Moos, RH: Substance use disorder treatment and a decline in attempted suicide during and after treatment. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 68: 503–509, 2007.)

Key words –

Related posts:

1. Affirmation for Intense Treatment Plus 12 Steps
2. Older Patients Do OK in Community-Based Treatment
3. Outpatient Treatment in Germany
4. Court-Directed Treatment Gets Mixed Results
5. Treatment Shown to Reduce Criminal Convictions