Outcomes of Substance use Disorder Treatment in Suicidal and Nonsuicidal Male Patients

This study examined the treatment outcomes of suicide & nonsuicide substance use disorder patients who were followed for 5 years. A total of 2,099 male patients were recruited from 15 Department of Veterans Affairs residential alcohol & drug treatment programs & were assessed at 4 points. Although patients with a recent suicide attempt reported severe patterns of alcohol use & elevated psychiatric symptoms at baseline, they showed significant improvements in both these domains at discharge & these improvements were still evident at 1-year & 5-year follow-ups. Suicidal patients were no more likely to leave treatment early than were nonsuicidal patients, & they received slightly longer & more individualized treatment. (14 refs.)