Drug abuse and suicide.

This paper examines the relationship between drug abuse and suicide. It attempts to assess the extent of suicidal thoughts or behaviors among a group of drug abusers. The research examines variables related to self-destructive or self-endangering behaviors, such as accidental overdoses, arrests for driving under the influence, and auto accidents in which the subject was the driver. These data were examined in relation to reports of suicidal thoughts and actual suicide attempts. The results indicate a suicide attempt rate at least 12 times greater than expected for the general population. The results also indicate significant correlations between suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts and nonsuicidal overdoses, and arrests for driving under the influece of drugs or alcohol and nonsuicidal overdoses. The implications of these results along with the role of depression as discussed.