Tisdale C, de Andrade D, Leung J, Campbell G, Hides L. The risk of repeated suicidal presentations following residential treatment for substance use disorders: A recurrent event analysis using linked administrative data. J Affect Disord. 2024;360:364-375.
This study examined the risk and protective factors for suicide-related events following discharge from residential alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment centers in Queensland, Australia. The authors collected the electronic health record data from administrative and health services from 1056 individuals for two years after discharge from a residential AOD treatment center. The detailed data provided by the emergency departments, mental health services, death registries, and hospitals provided novel insight into suicidal behaviors following AOD treatment. The most common drugs of concern for this cohort were alcohol (38.2%), methamphetamine (38.5%), and cannabis (13.4%). The best protective factor for future suicidal behavior was the completion of an AOD treatment. Individuals who completed treatment were less likely to have subsequent suicide episodes than those who were discharged early (p = 0.025). Multiple (2 or more) previous suicide episodes in an AOR were predictors of future suicide episodes after discharge. This research provides two important calls to action. The first is to expand this research to assess the potential protective factors of continued support after discharge from an AOR, including, but not limited to, digital interventions. In addition, screening and brief interventions targeting suicide at AOD treatment entry may be an effective way to address suicidality in treatment-seeking individuals. Future interventions should allow care providers to assess, triage, and manage co-occurring AOD and suicidal ideation.