Are non-fatal opioid overdoses misclassified suicide attempts? Comparing the associated correlates.
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| Abstract |
This paper aimed to determine whether non-fatal opioid overdose and suicide attempts are distinct behaviours by examining the histories of 1500 opioid-dependent individuals. This paper utilised data collected as part of a large retrospective case-control study. Unintentional non-fatal opioid overdoses were more common than suicide attempts (58% vs. 32%). Overall, the correlates associated with a history of attempted suicide only and non-fatal opioid overdose only were different. Drug-related risk behaviours (including high impulsivity, injection of opioids, sedative dependence) were associated with non-fatal opioid overdose; and a history of mental disorders (depression, anxiety disorder, and screening positive for borderline personality disorder (BPD+) were associated with suicide attempts. Additionally, those who reported a history of both behaviours had a more severe clinical profile including excessive drug use, psychological disorders and childhood trauma. The study concluded that non-fatal opioid overdose and attempted suicide are distinct clinically significant problems that require different approaches for prevention. Additionally, if both behaviours are reported a thorough assessment of underlying comorbid problems should be initiated by treatment services.
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| Authors | Elizabeth Maloney, Louisa Degenhardt, Shane Darke, Elliot C Nelson |
| Journal | Addictive behaviors (Addict Behav) Vol. 34 Issue 9 Pg. 723-9 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1873-6327 [Electronic] England |
| PMID | 19447563 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
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