ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency of suicidal thoughts and suicidal probability among poly-substance abusers in Saudi population, and to examine the relation between dual diagnosis and suicidal thoughts
Study Design: Case control study
Place and Duration of Study: Al-Baha Psychiatric Hospital, Saudi Arabia, from May 2011 to June 2012
Methodology: Participants were 239 subjects, aged 18 - 45 years. We reviewed 122 individuals who fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria of substance abuse for two or more substances, and their data were compared with that collected from 117 control persons
Results: Suicidal cases were highly present among poly-substance abusers 64.75%. Amphetamine and cannabis were the most abused substances, [87.7% and 70.49%, respectively]. A statistically significant association with suicidality was found with longer duration of substance abuse [p < 0.001], using alcohol [p=0.001], amphetamine [p=0.007], volatile substances [p=0.034], presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders [dual diagnosis] as substance induced mood disorder [p=0.001], schizo-affective disorder [p=0.017], major depressive disorders [p=0.001], antisocial [p=0.016] and borderline [p=0.005] personality disorder. Suicidal cases showed significant higher scores [p < 0.001] of suicide probability scale and higher scores in Beck depressive inventory [p < 0.001]
Conclusion: Abusing certain substances for long duration, in addition to comorbid psychiatric disorders especially with disturbed-mood element, may trigger suicidal thoughts in poly-substance abusers. Depression and suicide probability is common consequences of substance abuse