Effects of Drug Misuse Treatment on Symptoms of Depression and Suicide

More than half of 9,904 clients who were treated at methadone, outpatient drug-free, & residential treatment facilities, reported symptoms of depression or suicide at intake. Females & multiple nonnarcotics users were at highest risk for suicide attempts. Despite a dramatic drop in the level of symptomatology by 4 weeks in treatment, many clients remained suicidal throughout the study period. Suicidal tendencies at both intake & 4 weeks were strongly related to suicidal tendencies at 12 months.