Suchergebnisse

Two hundred Norwegian drug abusers who consecutively applied for treatment in a therapeutic community were interviewed at intake and personally followed up on average 5 years after. Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory and Symptom Checklist-90 were used to assess the clients. Frequent use of opiates and number of months in inpatient treatment were associated with overdoses, while being a case on the Borderline scale or depression was related to suicide attempts. The study shows that overdoses and suicide attempts can be distinguished on the basis of their different psychopathological risk variables and their different relationship to substances. To understand the background of these phenomena is of importance in planning preventive action to hinder fatal overdose and suicide.

<i>Objective:</i> The frequency of suicide attempts and clinical characteristics of attempters among poly-substance abusers and alcoholics were examined. <i>Methods:</i> A consecutive sample (n = 260) of in- and outpatients from two Norwegian counties were assessed by Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Axis I disorders), Millon's Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (Axis II disorders) and the Norwegian National Client Assessment Form. When analysing the association between suicide attempters and the range of predictor variables, logistic regression analysis was conducted. <i>Results:</i> Almost half (47%) of the sample reported lifetime suicide attempts; significantly more frequently in poly-substance abusers (58%) than alcoholics (38%). A substance use disorder with duration of ≧15 years and an early onset (<18 years of age) were independently associated with being a suicide attempter after controlling for Axis I disorders. In addition, eating disorders, agoraphobia and major depression were strongly and independently associated with being a suicide attempter. <i>Conclusion:</i> Attempts at preventing suicidal behaviour should not ignore the suicide risk among poly-substance abusers. In addition, prevention of suicidal behaviour demands a treatment programme focusing concomitantly on both addictive behaviour and comorbid psychiatric disorders.

<i>Objective:</i> Gender differences in the prevalence of Axis I and II disorders in poly-substance abusers and pure alcoholics and between these two groups are explored. <i>Method:</i> A consecutive sample (n = 260) of in- and out-patients from two Norwegian counties were assessed by CIDI (Axis I disorders) and MCMI-II (Axis II disorders). <i>Results:</i> Major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders were significantly more prevalent in women than in men. A significantly higher prevalence of antisocial, passive-aggressive, and borderline personality disorders (PD) was observed among poly-substance abusers, whereas pure alcoholics were found to have dependent PDs more often. Female poly-substance abusers differed significantly from all other substance abusers by suffering more often from major depression, simple phobia, PTSD and borderline PD. Male poly-substance abusers more often presented antisocial PD and less often Cluster C disorders than all other substance abusers. Female pure alcoholics more often had major depression and Cluster C disorders than all other substance abusers. Male pure alcoholics presented less often with Axis I disorders, major depression, and PTSD, but more often with Cluster A disorders, in particular schizoid PD, than all other substance abusers. <i>Conclusion:</i> The pattern of comorbid disorders is clearly different between male and female poly-substance abusers and pure alcoholics. This implies that these four subgroups have important differences in their treatment needs.