Citation

Darke S, Williamson A, Ross J, Teesson M. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005; 78(2): 177-186.

Affiliation

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.10.009

PMID

15845321

Abstract

A cohort of 495 heroin users, recruited for the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS), were re-interviewed at 12 months regarding suicide attempts over the follow-up period. The proportion who had attempted suicide in the 12 months since baseline was not significantly different from that reported in the 12 months preceding ATOS enrolment (12.2% versus 9.1%), and attempted suicide did not decline significantly in any of the index treatment groups. Among males, there was no significant reduction in attempted suicide (8.7% versus 8.1%). Among females, however, the proportion reporting an attempt declined significantly from 19.7 to 9.8%. Of those who reported suicidal ideation at baseline, 22.8% made an attempt over the follow-up period, as did 19.0% of those who had major depression. Large, and significant, declines in suicidal ideation (23.1% versus 6.9%) and major depression (25.5% versus 10.9%) occurred over the study period. Independent predictors of a suicide attempt over the follow-up period were: social isolation, having made an attempt in the preceding 12 months, suicidal ideation at baseline, a greater number of treatment episodes and higher levels of baseline polydrug use.