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Suicidality and substance misuse in first-admitted subjects with psychotic disorder
H Verdoux1, F Liraud, B Gonzales
1Department of Psychiatry, University Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France.
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.