Premium
Predictors of a Suicide Attempt One Year After Entry Into Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Author(s) -
Ilgen Mark A.,
Harris Alex H. S.,
Moos Rudolf H.,
Tiet Quyen Q.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2007.00348.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , suicide prevention , suicide attempt , veterans affairs , medicine , substance abuse , injury prevention , poison control , substance use , occupational safety and health , alcohol use disorder , risk factor , human factors and ergonomics , clinical psychology , psychology , medical emergency , alcohol , pathology , biochemistry , chemistry
Background: The present study examined the patient intake and treatment‐related risk factors associated with a suicide attempt in the 30 days before a 1‐year posttreatment assessment. Methods: A national sample of 8,807 patients presenting for treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) in the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system were assessed at treatment intake and follow‐up. Using the MacArthur Model, the risk and protective factors for suicide attempt were identified at baseline and during treatment. Results: At follow‐up, 4% (314/8,807) of the patients reported a suicide attempt within the past 30 days. Baseline predictors of a suicide attempt before follow‐up included elevated suicidal/psychiatric symptoms, more recent problematic alcohol use, and longer duration of cocaine use. Contact with the criminal justice system was a protective factor that reduced the likelihood of a future suicide attempt. Greater engagement in SUD treatment was also associated with a reduction in suicide risk. Conclusions: More involvement in SUD treatment reduced the likelihood of a future suicide attempt in high‐risk patients. Substance use disorder treatment providers interested in reducing future suicidal behavior may want to concentrate their efforts on identifying at‐risk individuals and actively engaging these patients in longer treatment episodes.