Beyond addiction: exploring the factors behind suicidal thoughts among methamphetamine users in Guangdong, China

Methamphetamine is one of the most abused drugs worldwide. Methamphetamine use disorders (MAUD) not only affect the physical and mental health of addicts but also increase the risk of suicide. Although the suicide rate of MAUD patients is high, there is little research on the clinical characteristics and risk factors of suicide risk in MAUD patients. So, it is necessary to investigate the related risk factors of suicidal ideation of MAUD.

Using response-driven sampling (RDS), a total of 10,225 MAUDs were randomly selected from April to May 2023 in Guangdong, China. MAUD was evaluated by the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI) and divided into a case (n = 1228) and a control group (n = 8997). Multivariate generalized linear mixed model analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of suicidal ideation among MAUDs.

The result of multivariate generalized linear mixed model analysis showed that the dosage of each use of MA (OR = 5.52, 95%CI = 4.93～6.17), age (OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.03～1.20), childhood physical abuse(OR = 3.43, 95%CI = 3.17～3.71), childhood emotional neglect(OR = 2.77, 95%CI = 2.60～2.94), introverted and extroverted personality(OR = 2.85, 95%CI = 2.64～3.08), and neurotic personality(OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.02～1.30) were the risk factors of suicidal ideation among MAUDs in Guangdong, China.

Suicidal ideation among MAUDs is influenced by family, society, stress, and other factors, so it is necessary to take comprehensive intervention measures.