Ethanol and illicit drugs acute use and abuse as risk factors for suicide: A case-control study based on forensic autopsies in the Basque Country, Spain

Introduction: Abuse/dependence and acute use of ethanol and illicit drug are considered risk factors for suicide. The risk is also influenced by demographic conditions and/or psychiatric comorbidity. The aim of the study was to test the association between presence of ethanol, illicit substances and prescribed drugs in suicide decedents and controls. Materials and methods: Case–control study of autopsies performed in the Biscay Forensic […]

Comparative risk of suicide by specific substance use disorders: A national cohort study

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are important risk factors for suicide, yet little is known about how suicide risks vary by specific SUDs. We examined these risks for the first time in a large general population to facilitate comparisons across SUDs. A national cohort study was conducted of all 6,947,191 adults in Sweden. SUDs (opioid, sedative/hypnotic, hallucinogen, cannabis, amphetamine, […]

Trends of intentional drug overdose among youth: A population-based cohort study

Background: Intentional overdose is the commonest form of self-harm in adolescents globally. We explored temporal trends in intentional overdose among youth. Methods: Using multiple linked healthcare databases, we conducted a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada, from 2002 to 2015. We included all patients aged 8 to 19 years who presented to an emergency department (ED) or were […]

Over-the-counter drugs and other substances used in attempted suicide presented to emergency departments in Montreal, Canada: A cross sectional study

Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are frequently used in suicide attempts. Accessibility, toxicity, and unsupervised acquisition of large amounts may be facilitators. Aims: To identify patient characteristics associated with OTC drug use as a suicide attempt method among adults. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using chart review of all individuals who presented to the emergency […]