Suicidality and substance misuse in first-admitted subjects with psychoticdisorder

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the links between suicidali ty and substance misuse (abuse or dependence) in subjects with early psycho sis. Method: Data were collected on a sample of first-admitted subjects with psy chosis (n = 64). Results: More than 1 in 4 patients had a history of parasuicide, and more t han 1 in 10 patients were referred to the psychiatric hospital after such a n act. Parasuicide was more frequent in subjects with a history of drug mis use (OR = 4, 95% CI = 1.1-14.0, P = 0.03), and especially of polysubstance use (OR = 6.6, 95% CI = 1.2-34.7, P = 0.03). Conclusion: The association between substance misuse and suicidality found in subjects with psychosis is similar to that which exists in the general p opulation. Since early psychosis is a high-risk period for substance misuse , subjects with incipient psychosis maybe especially vulnerable to the deva stating consequences of drug use with regard to increased risk of suicide.