Balancing on the edge of death: suicide attempts and life-threatening overdoses among drug addicts.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of prevalence of non-fatal overdoses and suicide attempts and predictors of and co-variation between such behaviours among drug addicts.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Inpatient and outpatient treatment units in Norway.


METHODS
National sample of 2051 drug addicts admitted to treatment in Norway in 1992-93.


METHODS
Self-reports of suicide attempts and of life-threatening overdoses from structured interviews with therapists.


RESULTS
Almost half (45.5%) the clients reported having experienced one or more life-threatening overdoses. A third (32.7%) reported one or more suicide attempts. Suicide attempts were more often reported among those who had overdosed (odds ratio (OR) = 6.3), and the number of life-threatening overdoses and number of suicide attempts were positively and moderately associated (Pearson's r = 0.39). Drug addicts who had exhibited both life-threatening behaviours were characterized by polydrug use, poor social functioning and HIV risk-taking behaviour. Suicide attempters were also characterized by psychiatric problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The substantial co-variation between suicide attempts and drug overdose suggests some common underlying causal factors. These seem to be related to heavy drug use and poor social integration.
Rossow
I
I
National Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, Oslo, Norway. ingeborg.m.rossow@sifa.no
Lauritzen
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*