Cocaine use disorders and suicidal ideation.
The goal of this study was to determine the contribution of substance abuse to the expression of suicidal ideation in a sample of patients referred for evaluation of chemical dependency in a large urban Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES). Records from 777 consecutive patients referred to the chemical dependency service of the PES were analyzed. Of this sample, 43.7% of the patients with only a cocaine use disorder expressed suicidal ideation compared to 38% of those with both cocaine and alcohol use disorders, 24.3% with only an alcohol use disorder and 17% with other drug use disorders (chi(2)=24.768; df=3; P<0.0001). More than half of the patients (55.26%) with a substance-induced mood or psychotic disorder expressed suicidal ideation (chi(2)=23.174, df=1, P<0.0001), and the majority (85%) of these patients had a cocaine use disorder (chi(2)=12.309, df=1, P<0.0005). In this sample of patients served by an urban PES, cocaine use is associated with suicidal ideation, more so than other substances of abuse.
Garlow
Steven J
SJ
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Suite 4000, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. sgarlow@emory.edu
Purselle
David
D
D'Orio
Barbara
B
D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data