Suicide verdicts as opposed to accidental deaths in substance-related fatalities (UK, 2001-2007) |
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Authors: | Vento Alessandro E Schifano Fabrizio Corkery John M Pompili Maurizio Innamorati Marco Girardi Paolo Ghodse Hamid |
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Affiliation: | a Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Functions, Suicide Prevention Centre, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Italyb School of Pharmacy, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UKc National Programme for Substance Abuse Deaths (np-SAD), International Centre for Drug Policy, 6th floor Hunter Wing, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, UKd McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA |
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Abstract: | BackgroundSubstance-related deaths account for a great number of suicides.AimTo investigate levels and characteristics of suicide verdicts, as opposed to accidental deaths, in substance misusers.MethodsPsychological autopsy study of cases from the UK National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (np-SAD) during the period 2001-2007.ResultsBetween January 2001 and December 2007, 2108 suicides were reported to the np-SAD. Typical suicide victims were White and older than 50 (respectively 95% and 41% of cases). Medications, especially antidepressants (44%), were prescribed to 87% of victims. Significantly fewer suicide victims than controls presented positive blood toxicological results for illicit drugs (namely: cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy-type drugs, cannabis, and GHB/GBL) and alcohol.ConclusionsSuicide prevention programmes should devote specific attention to deaths among substance misusers who are at high risk of fatal intentional self-harm. Specific characteristics distinguish those at risk; caregivers should be better educated as to what these factors are. Limitations of the current study included lack of provision of comprehensive information relating to the victims' psychosocial variables. Furthermore, no differentiation between different classes of antidepressants in terms of involvement in suicide was here provided. |
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Keywords: | np-SAD, UK National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths χ2, chi-square tests OR, Odds Ratios |
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