Citation

Verdoux H, Liraud F, Gonzales B, Assens F, Abalan F, van Os J. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 1999; 100(5): 389-395.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10563457

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the links between suicidality and substance misuse (abuse or dependence) in subjects with early psychosis. METHOD: Data were collected on a sample of first-admitted subjects with psychosis (n=64). RESULTS: More than 1 in 4 patients had a history of parasuicide, and more than 1 in 10 patients were referred to the psychiatric hospital after such an act. Parasuicide was more frequent in subjects with a history of drug misuse (OR=4, 95% CI= 1.1-14.0, P=0.03), and especially of polysubstance use (OR=6.6, 95% CI=1.2-34.7, P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The association between substance misuse and suicidality found in subjects with psychosis is similar to that which exists in the general population. Since early psychosis is a high-risk period for substance misuse, subjects with incipient psychosis may be especially vulnerable to the devastating consequences of drug use with regard to increased risk of suicide.

Language: en