The treatment received by substance-dependent male and female suicide victims

Within a nation-wide psychological autopsy study we investigated use of tre atment services and recognition of substance abuse problems among male and female substance-dependent suicide victims. Although during their final mon th half of the male subjects and two-thirds of the female subjects contacte d health care services, in only one-sixth and one-third of cases, respectiv ely, were substance abuse problems currently recognized During their final year, 37% of the males and 67% of the females received psychiatric care. Th is was associated with Axis-I comorbid disorders among males, with lower so cio-economic status and abuse of prescribed drugs among females, acid with previous suicide attempts among both sexes. Due to their high psychiatric m orbidity and tendency to have contacts with psychiatric services, the recog nition, treatment and follow-up of subjects with substance use disorders in psychiatric care would appear to be of major importance for suicide preven tion.