The association between violence and lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors in individuals treated for substance use disorders

Abstract Objective The present study examined the association between lifetime violent behavior and suicidal thoughts and attempts in a national sample of patients seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Method A large national sample of adults entering substance use disorder treatment (N =...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Addictive behaviors 2010-02, Vol.35 (2), p.111-115
Main Authors: Ilgen, Mark A, Burnette, Mandi L, Conner, Kenneth R, Czyz, Ewa, Murray, Regan, Chermack, Stephen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictions treatment
Adult
Alcohol
Alcohol-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Correlation analysis
Drugs
Female
Humans
Male
Psychiatry
Risk Factors
Studies
Substance abuse treatment
Substance-Related Disorders - complications
Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide
Suicide, Attempted - statistics & numerical data
Suicides & suicide attempts
Violence
Violence - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:Abstract Objective The present study examined the association between lifetime violent behavior and suicidal thoughts and attempts in a national sample of patients seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Method A large national sample of adults entering substance use disorder treatment (N = 6,233) was examined. After describing the correlates of prior suicidal thoughts and attempt(s) in this sample, we examined the association between self-report of lifetime violence and suicidal ideation, a single prior attempt and multiple prior attempts in patients seeking SUD treatment. Results In bivariate analyses, individuals with prior violence were more likely to report suicidal ideation, single and multiple suicide attempts than those without prior violence. These associations remained significant after controlling for demographic factors, symptoms of depression, and childhood victimization. In examinations of specific types of violence, more extreme forms of violence (i.e., murder, rape) were most strongly associated with risk of multiple suicide attempts. Conclusions Prior violence is consistently associated with greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients seeking SUD treatment. Treatment providers should be aware that those patients with some of the greatest violence in their past are also those at elevated risk for harm to themselves.
ISSN:0306-4603
1873-6327
DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.09.010