title: Suicidality in a sample of methadone maintenance clients.
abstract: Previous work has shown that suicide is a significant cause of death among substance abusers, including methadone-maintained clients, and that the prediction of suicidal ideation and behavior is difficult. Preliminary review of data collected at admission on a population of 438 methadone-maintained clients found 55 expressing some level of suicidal behaviors during the course of treatment. These clients were compared with a randomly selected comparison group of 55 nonsuicide clients matched for gender and race/ethnicity on measures of psychological dysfunction, drug use, family dysfunction, and help-seeking behaviors. Results showed that at time of admission suicidal clients reported: 1) more psychological dysfunction as evidenced by higher levels of depression, social dysfunction, hostility, risk-taking, and previous thoughts of suicide; 2) less family support at the present time and during childhood; and 3) more help-seeking behavior as evidenced by self-referral, number of previous treatment episodes, attendance at self-help meetings, and higher scores on motivational measures of desire for help. Differences in preadmission drug-using behaviors were not found between the two groups.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012925:Social Conformity; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone