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Alcohol and Drugs in Suicides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Annakatri Ohberg ,
Erkki Vuori ,
Ilkka Ojanperä  and
Jouko Lonnqvist
Annakatri Ohberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki
Erkki Vuori
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki
Ilkka Ojanperä
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki
Jouko Lonnqvist
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 160, 00300 Helsinki, Finland
*
Annakatri Ohberg, Department of Forensic Medicine, P.O. Box 40, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. Fax: 358 0 19127518; e-mail: Annakatri.Ohberg@helsinki.fi
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Abstract

Background

Alcohol and drugs use were assessed in a nationwide one year suicide study in Finland.

Method

Alcohol and drugs use were analysed in 1348 suicides, 96.5% of all suicides in the study year. Relative suicide risks for drugs were defined by relating the number of suicides committed by use of various drugs to drug availability.

Results

Alcohol was detected twice as often in men as in women; the opposite was the case with drugs. The drugs most commonly used for suicide were neuroleptics and antidepressants, which were, in 74.3% and 77.4% of the cases, respectively, the victim's own prescribed drugs. Antidepressants were found in 19.0% of women and only 4.8% of men. Relative suicide risk for antidepressants varied substantially between different compounds.

Conclusions

Undertreatment of depression is a challenge for suicide prevention. Those who commit suicide by antidepressants use their own drugs. Relative suicide risk for a drug should be considered when choosing treatment for depressive patients.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 169 , Issue 1 , July 1996 , pp. 75 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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