Suicidal behavior and duality in disorders due to substance use among Ecuatorian drug addicts

Abstract

Introduction: illicit drug use is considered a favorable element highly associated to suicidal behavior. As the frequency, intensity, time of consumption and coexistence with other mental disorders, the probability of violent behavior towards oneself also increases. Objective: to characterize drug addict patients with suicidal behavior and determine possible links between sociodemographic and consumption variables. Method: a cross-sectional study in drug addict patients admitted in the Unidad de Conductas Adictivas (UCA) setted at the Instituto de Neurociencias (INC) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, was carried out, in the period 2010 throughout 2016. A total of 922 patients who referred any kind of suicidal behavior (including any kind of suicidal ideation or suicidal intent) were selected. Results: this research revealed that male population was predominant, in which 4 of 10 attempted suicide (36.3%), meanwhile in females was 5 in 10 approximately (46.3%). Conclusions: among patients with suicidal behavior admitted in the Unidad de Conductas Adictivas (UCA) setted at the Instituto de Neurociencias (INC) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, between 2014 and 2017, women who suffered depressive symptoms or had schizophrenia as comorbidity were predominant. Women 15 to 20 years of age and with previous suicidal intent and depressive symptoms.

Keywords

• trastornos relacionados con sustancias
• diagnóstico dual
• ideación suicida
• conducta adictiva
• intento de suicidio