Suicidal ideation and attempts among patients with lifetime physical and/or sexual abuse in treatment for substance use disorders

Abstract

Background: Several studies indicate that lifetime abuse is a relevant risk factor for suicidal ideation and/or attempts. However, little is known about this phenomenon in patients seeking treatment for substance use disorder. The prevalence rate of suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts was explored among lifetime physically and/or sexually abused patients receiving treatment for drug addiction. The differential characteristics between these patients and those without suicidal behaviours were studied.

Method: Three hundred and seventy-five patients were assessed. Socio-demographic characteristics, addiction severity, lifetime abuse, suicidal ideation and attempts, and psychopathological symptoms were explored.

Results: Eighty-two patients (21.9%) presented with a history of lifetime abuse and were included in the study (37 men and 45 women). Sixty-two per cent of them presented with lifetime suicidal ideation (12.2% in the last month), and 30.5% with suicide attempts (1.2% in the last month). Patients with suicidal ideation or attempts showed a more severe addiction profile (assessed by the EuropASI) and more psychopathological symptoms (assessed by the SCL-90-R).

Conclusion: This study highlights the relationship between previous traumatic experiences and suicidal behaviours. According to these results, systematic screening of suicidal risk in patients seeking treatment in addiction centres with histories of abuse is recommended.

Keywords:

• Addiction
• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• suicidal ideation
• suicide attempts
• assessment

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the “Proyecto Hombre de Navarra” programme staff for their help with assessing the clinical sample.

Disclosure statement

Authors do not have any financial interests that may be interpreted as influencing the research.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a grant (code PSI2016–76511-R) from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) of the Spanish Government and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional of the European Union (FEDER, EU).