TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and Correlates of Opioid-Involved Suicides in Maryland
AU - Susukida, Ryoko
AU - Nestadt, Paul S.
AU - Kharrazi, Hadi
AU - Wilcox, Holly C.
N1 - Funding Information:
Dr. Susukida reported receiving research support from the AFSP, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the conduct of the study. Dr. Nestadt reported receiving research support from the AFSP (YIG-0-093-18). Dr. Kharrazi and Mr. Kitchen reported receiving research support from the National Institute of Mental Health (1R01MH124724 and 1R56-MH117560). Dr. Wilcox reported receiving research support from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 International Academy for Suicide Research.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Objective: Involvement of opioids in suicides has doubled during the past two decades, worsening a major public health concern. This study examined the characteristics of opioid-involved suicides. Methods: The sample of decedents (N = 12,038) in Maryland between 2006 and 2020 was used to compare the characteristics of opioid-involved suicides (n = 947) with suicides not involving opioids (n = 6,896) and accidental opioid deaths (n = 4,125). Direct comparisons were then made between opioid-involved suicides with and without the additional presence of non-opioid substances. Results: Opioid-involved suicides were significantly more likely than suicides not involving opioids to occur among those aged 18–64 years, non-Hispanic Whites, and unemployed or disabled individuals. Opioid-involved suicides were more likely than accidental opioid deaths to occur among females, those aged <18 years, non-Hispanic Whites, and employed individuals. Of all suicides involved opioids, 45% involved other non-opioid substances. Polysubstance opioid suicides were significantly more likely than suicides involving opioids only to occur among non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusions: Significant differences were observed in the demographic groups most at risk for opioid-involved suicide than other suicide or accidental opioid death. Among opioid-involved suicides, polysubstance involvement also represents a distinct group. These findings may enhance the targeting of prevention efforts.HIGHLIGHTS Opioid-involved suicides differ from other suicides or accidental opioid deaths. In opioid-involved suicides, polysubstance involvement represents a distinct group. These findings may enhance the targeting of prevention efforts.
AB - Objective: Involvement of opioids in suicides has doubled during the past two decades, worsening a major public health concern. This study examined the characteristics of opioid-involved suicides. Methods: The sample of decedents (N = 12,038) in Maryland between 2006 and 2020 was used to compare the characteristics of opioid-involved suicides (n = 947) with suicides not involving opioids (n = 6,896) and accidental opioid deaths (n = 4,125). Direct comparisons were then made between opioid-involved suicides with and without the additional presence of non-opioid substances. Results: Opioid-involved suicides were significantly more likely than suicides not involving opioids to occur among those aged 18–64 years, non-Hispanic Whites, and unemployed or disabled individuals. Opioid-involved suicides were more likely than accidental opioid deaths to occur among females, those aged <18 years, non-Hispanic Whites, and employed individuals. Of all suicides involved opioids, 45% involved other non-opioid substances. Polysubstance opioid suicides were significantly more likely than suicides involving opioids only to occur among non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusions: Significant differences were observed in the demographic groups most at risk for opioid-involved suicide than other suicide or accidental opioid death. Among opioid-involved suicides, polysubstance involvement also represents a distinct group. These findings may enhance the targeting of prevention efforts.HIGHLIGHTS Opioid-involved suicides differ from other suicides or accidental opioid deaths. In opioid-involved suicides, polysubstance involvement represents a distinct group. These findings may enhance the targeting of prevention efforts.
KW - Maryland
KW - opioid
KW - polysubstance
KW - suicide
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85158902883&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85158902883&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13811118.2023.2207612
DO - 10.1080/13811118.2023.2207612
M3 - Article
C2 - 37143364
AN - SCOPUS:85158902883
SN - 1381-1118
JO - Archives of Suicide Research
JF - Archives of Suicide Research
ER -