Is drug use related to the choice of potentially more harmful methods in suicide attempts?

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether drug abuse is a risk factor for potentially more harmful methods of suicide attempts that could predict suicide completion in the future. METHODS: The study involved the assessment of 86 patients who attempted suicide and who were admitted to the emergency ward of a Southwestern Brazilian general hospital. RESULTS: Most patients were women (84.9%), young adults (30.53 ± 10.4 years), and single (61.6%). Recent drug use was reported by 53.5%, and 25.6% reported the use of drugs during the 24-hour period immediately before the suicide attempt. Most patients (75.6%) ingested pills when attempting suicide-a method considered potentially less harmful. Hanging, jumping, gas inhaling, and wrist cutting accounted for 22.2% of the attempts. Considering dual diagnoses, 54.7% presented with a depressive disorder, 8.1% with a disorder on the impulse control spectrum, and 26.7% reported an associated clinical condition. Recent drug use was predictive of the severity of the suicide attempt, as it was reported by 81% of those who engaged in more harmful attempts and by 46.2% of those who used less harmful methods (P < 0.01; odds ratio = 4.96; confidence interval: 1.5-16.4). CONCLUSION: The identified variables associated with the use of potentially more harmful methods in suicide attempts were gender (male), presence of an impulsive control disorder, and recent use of psychoactive drugs.

Factors associated with the use of solvents and cannabis by medical students.

INTRODUCTION: The use of alcohol and other drugs among medical students has been a theme of growing interest and concern on the part of researchers, teaching institutions and medical associations since the decade of the 1960's. OBJECTIVE: Recent use of alcohol, tobacco, tranquillisers, amphetamines, cannabis, organic solvents, and cocaine among 456 medical students was surveyed. METHOD: Assessment was done by means of a self-report questionnaire according to World Health Organisation guidelines. RESULTS: Among medical students, after alcohol and tobacco, cannabis and solvents are the most frequently used psychoactive substances. As such, they were the most deeply analysed drugs in this study. Factors associated with the recent use of cannabis and solvents were established by logistic regression. Living with parents or a companion appeared as a protective factor for the use of cannabis. However, being male and regularly participating in the activities at the campus Sports Association showed as risk factors for the use of both cannabis and solvents. DISCUSSION: Concepts and misconceptions concerning protective and risk factors must be discussed in the light of cultural and circumstantial interferences. Harm reduction strategies should be seriously considered.