Self poisoning: who supplies the drugs? 100 examples.
One hundred self-poisoners, consecutively referred to the psychiatric liaison service at Auckland Hospital were questioned regarding the source of the substances taken, the taking of regular medication and their last contact with a doctor. In total, 82 percent took legitimately prescribed medications, in 67 cases prescribed for themselves, while 12 percent bought over-the-counter preparations. Alcohol was associated in one-third of all cases. In one half of all cases the substance ingested had been prescribed at the last visit to a doctor. These patients were statistically more likely to be depressed, to be taking regular medication and to have taken a previous overdose. Two-thirds of all cases had seen a doctor no more than a month prior to self-poisoning.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000506:poisoning; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000506:poisoning; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D011041:Poisoning; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001463:Barbiturates; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs