Reported firearm access among patients admitted to a dual diagnosis medically-assisted withdrawal unit over five years.

BACKGROUND

Up to one-third of firearm-related suicides were carried out by individuals who had consumed alcohol shortly before their death. Despite the critical role of firearm access screening in suicide risk assessment, few studies have examined firearm access among patients with substance use disorders. This study examines the rates of firearm access among those admitted to a co-occurring diagnosis unit over a five year period.

METHODS

All patients admitted to a co-occurring disorders inpatient unit from 2014 to mid-2020 were included. An analysis contrasting the differences among patients reporting firearms was performed. A multivariable logistic regression model using factors from initial admission were chosen based on clinical relevance, past firearms research, and statistical significance on bivariate analysis was used.

RESULTS

Over the study period there were 7332 admissions representing 4055 patients. Documentation of firearm access was completed in 83.6% of admissions. Firearm access was reported in 9.4% of admissions. Patients reporting firearm access were more likely to report never having suicidal ideation ( = 0.001), be married ( = <0.001), and report no past history of suicide attempts ( = <0.001). The full logistic regression model revealed that being married (OR: 2.29 and  < 0.0001) and employed (OR: 1.51 and  = 0.024) were factors associated with firearms access.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the largest reports assessing factors associated with firearm access among those admitted to a co-occurring disorders unit. Firearm access rates in this population appear lower than rates in the general population. The roles employment and marital status play in firearm access deserve future attention.