What Characterizes Substance Abusers who Commit Suicide Attempts? Factors Related to Axis I Disorders and Patterns of Substance use Disorders. A Study of Treatment-Seeking Substance Abusers in Norway
Landheim A S~~Bakken K~~Vaglum P
The frequency of suicide attempts & clinical characteristics of attempters among poly-substance abusers & alcoholics were examined. A consecutive sample of 260 in- & out-patients from 2 Norwegian counties were assessed. When analysing the association between suicide attempters & the range of predictor variables, logistic regression analysis was conducted. Almost half of the sample reported lifetime suicide attempts; significantly more frequently in poly-substance abusers than alcoholics. A substance use disorder with a duration of 15 years or more & an early onset (less than 18 years of age) were independently associated with being a suicide attempter after controlling for Axis I disorders. Eating disorders, agoraphobia, & major depression were also stongly & independently associated with being a suicide attempter. (38 refs.)