SUICIDAL IDEATION AND ATTEMPTS AMONG CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT ADOLESCENTS

Objectives. Suicidal ideation and attempts were examined in a populati on of chemically dependent adolescents, a group at high risk of self-d estructive behavior. Methods. The prevalence and correlates of suicida lity and of major depressive disorder were assessed by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and a structured family and social history intervie w with 300 addicts aged 15 through 19 years. Results. Suicidal ideatio n was reported by 31% to 75% of the subjects and suicide attempts were reported by 28% to 61%, with females predominating. Thoughts of suici de combined with prolonged thoughts of death in general and a desire t o be dead were highly associated with suicide attempts. Exposure to ph ysical or sexual abuse was associated with a significantly increased r isk of suicide attempts for males but not for females. Conclusions. Th e probability of a suicide attempt increases when thoughts of suicide coincide with morbid ideation of extended duration, suggesting that ri sk assessment should be based on duration as well as presence of morbi d thoughts. Substance abuse treatment requires an assessment of suicid al potential and counseling for those whose potential is high, with sp ecial attention to males exposed to abuse.