Investigating the co-occurrence of self-mutilation and suicide attempts among opioid-dependent individuals

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2010 Feb;40(1):50-62. doi: 10.1521/suli.2010.40.1.50.

Abstract

The prevalence and risk factors associated with self-mutilation among opioid dependent cases and controls were determined, and the co-occurrence of self-mutilation and attempted suicide was examined. The prevalence of self-mutilation among cases and controls did not differ significantly (25% vs. 23%, respectively), with gender differences identified among cases only. A number of risk factors were found to be associated with self-mutilation, including borderline personality disorder, alcohol dependence, childhood sexual abuse, and multiple suicide attempts. Not only is self-mutilation a clinically significant problem, but when combined with a history of attempted suicide, the psychological dysfunction observed is markedly high.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / epidemiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Suicide, Attempted*