Alcohol and substances acute intoxication in a population of suicide attempters

Introduction The effects of psychotropic drugs and alcohol acute intoxication are important risk factors for attempted suicide among individuals with and without substance use disorder (SUD). Aims The first aim of this study is describing the socio-demographic features and clinical history of subjects who were acutely intoxicated when attempting suicide. The second aim is to compare their features with those of subjects without acute alcohol and substances intoxication at suicide attempt time. Methods Determinants of ER psychiatric consultations were studied prospectively during the period 2008–2014 at the “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital in Novara, Italy. For each patient, a data sheet was filled in by experienced psychiatrists, in order to gather demographic features, psychiatric history and present clinical issues like blood and urine dosage of amphetamine and methamphetamine, cannabinoid, cocaine and alcohol. Comparison of qualitative data was performed by means of the Chi2 test. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results We collected a sample of 495 suicide attempters who referred to our ER. Statistical analysis of demographic and clinical data is still ongoing. Conclusions Preliminary results point out that acute alcohol and drugs intoxication at suicide attempt time is much more frequent in subjects without a SUD. Implications will be discussed.