Toxicology and Circumstances of Completed Suicide by Means Other than Overdose
Abstract
Abstract: To determine the prevalence and circumstances of psychoactive substances amongst nonoverdose completed suicide, 1436 consecutive cases autopsied at the NSW Department of Forensic Medicine over the period 1/1/1997–12/31/2006 were analyzed. Substances were detected in 67.2% of cases, and illicit drugs in 20.1%. Alcohol was present in 40.6% of cases. Males were more likely to be positive for alcohol, cannabis, and psychostimulants, and females for pharmaceuticals. Illicits were associated with younger age. Alcohol was most prominent amongst toxicity cases, as were opioids, psychostimulants amongst gunshot cases, and pharmaceuticals amongst drownings. Cases in which drug and alcohol histories were noted were more likely to have a substance detected. Alcohol was more common where a suicide note was left and where relationship problems were involved. Pharmaceuticals were more common where a previous attempt was noted. Licit and illicit substances are strongly associated with suicide, even when the method does not involve drug overdose.
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The widespread use of medical drugs, also due to medical prescriptions, has increased over time, as indicated by a selected study conducted in France.
“The widespread use of these medical drugs, also due to medical prescriptions, has increased over time, as indicated by the selected study conducted in France.”
From Toxicological Findings of Self-Poisoning Suicidal Deaths: A Systematic Review by Countries (2022) · cites this paper as [51]
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The relationship between crystalline methamphetamine use and methamphetamine dependence
McKetin, R., Kelly, E., & McLaren, J. (2006) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.04.007 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
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A literature review and meta-analyses of cannabis use and suicidality
Borges, G., Bagge, C. L., & Orozco, R. (2016) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.02.007 · Cited by 214 · see citing works
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Toxicological Findings of Self-Poisoning Suicidal Deaths: A Systematic Review by Countries
Albano, G. D., Malta, G., La Spina, C., Rifiorito, A., Provenzano, V., Triolo, V., Vaiano, F., Bertol, E., Zerbo, S., & Argo, A. (2022) · Toxics · doi:10.3390/toxics10110654 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
- Authors
- Darke, S., Duflou, J., & Torok, M.
- Affiliations
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Sydney South West Area Health Service (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Darke, Shane
- Venue
- Journal of Forensic Sciences
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2009-02-24
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 490-494
- ISSN
- 0022-1198 (ISSN-L)
- 1556-4029
- OpenAlex
- W2077258770
- Cited by
- 67
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 7.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Forensic Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
- Keywords
- suicide mortality, psychoactive substances, alcohol, illicit drugs, cannabis, psychostimulants, opioids, pharmaceuticals, suicide notes, relationship problems, suicide attempts, gunshot wounds, drowning, forensic autopsy
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Ethanol, Asphyxia, Australia, Benzodiazepines, Cause of Death, Central Nervous System Depressants, Female, Forensic Psychiatry, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Narcotics, Poisoning, Psychotropic Drugs, Sex Factors, Illicit Drugs, Suicide, Wounds and Injuries, Neck Injuries, Substance-Related Disorders, Forensic Toxicology
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