Associations of Substance use, Abuse, and Dependence With Subsequent Suicidal Behavior

Discrete-time survival analysis was used to study the effects of retrospectively reported temporally prior substance use, abuse, & dependence in predicting first onset of suicidal behaviour. Alcohol & drug use predicted subsequent suicide attempts after controlling for sociodemographic variables & comorbid mental disorders. The number of substances used was more important than the types used in predicting suicidal behaviour. Clinicians need to be aware current substance use, even in the absence of abuse or dependence, is a significant risk factor for unplanned suicide attempts among ideators. (42 refs.)