Suicidal attempts among patients with substance use disorders who present with suicidal ideation

Background and aims: Patients with addictions have a great risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicidal behaviour is a continuum that begins with ideation and may continue with planning, attempts and suicide completion. Investigating the specific risk characteristics for suicidal attempts in pati...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: López-Goñi, José Javier, Fernández-Montalvo, Javier, Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso, Haro Escribano, Begoña
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/30734
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/30734
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Drug addiction
Suicidal ideation
Suicide attempts
Assessment
Prevalence
Descripción
Sumario:Background and aims: Patients with addictions have a great risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicidal behaviour is a continuum that begins with ideation and may continue with planning, attempts and suicide completion. Investigating the specific risk characteristics for suicidal attempts in patients with addiction pro- blems who present with suicidal ideation is crucial for developing prevention strategies. The main aims of this study were to determine the prevalence rate of suicide attempts among patients with lifetime suicidal ideation receiving treatment for addiction, and o explore the differential characteristics for suicide ideators with and without suicide attempts. Methods: A sample of 149 patients with suicidal ideation (110 male and 39 female) who sought treatment for addiction in a Spanish clinical centre was assessed. Measurements: Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, addiction severity, and psycho- pathological symptoms was obtained. Results: In total, 39.6% of the patients had attempted suicide (95% Confidence Interval: 32.1%–47.6%). Although all patients with suicidal behaviours presented a high severity in their addiction, patients with both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts showed a more severe addiction profile and more maladjustment to ev- eryday life than patients with only suicidal ideation. Specifically, three psychopathological variables were re- lated to suicide attempts: worse psychiatric state, previous hospitalization for psychological problems, and history of delirium. Conclusions: According to the results, a systematic screening of suicidal risk in patients seeking treatment for addiction problems is recommended. Addiction treatment centres should develop treatment strategies to prevent suicidal ideators from attempting suicide, mainly in those cases with a worse lifetime psychiatric condition.