Prescription drug misuse and suicidal ideation: Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

OBJECTIVE

Suicide is one of the leading causes of injury-related mortality in the United States and prior research has identified alcohol and other drug use as a major risk factor. In recent years, prescription drug misuse has become a serious public health issue; however, very little research examines the relationship between prescription drug misuse and suicide or suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the current research examines the relationship between prescription drug misuse and suicidal ideation among adults. Suicidal ideation was measured by asking respondents if they seriously thought about killing themselves in the past 12 months. Prescription drug misuse was defined as use without a prescription or solely for the feeling or experience caused by the drug in the past 12 months. Several multivariable logistic regression models were estimated.

RESULTS

Findings show that respondents who report prescription drug misuse in the past year, specifically pain relievers, are more likely to report that they had seriously though about killing themselves.

CONCLUSIONS

The current research fills an important gap in the literature by examining the relationship between prescription drug misuse and suicidal ideation. Consistent with the extant literature, prescription drug misuse is significantly associated with suicidal ideation among adults.