Preventing addiction related suicide: A pilot study.

Persons addicted to alcohol and drugs are at 5-10 times higher risk for suicide as compared to the general population. To address the need for improved suicide prevention strategies in this population, the Preventing Addiction Related Suicide (PARS) module was developed. Pilot testing of 78 patients from agencies participating the Pacific Northwest Node of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN), all of which offered standard, group-based intensive outpatient program addiction treatment, demonstrated significant post-treatment changes in knowledge and attitudes toward suicide prevention issues. Significant gains were maintained at 1-month follow-up for changes in knowledge, with changes in positive help seeking behaviors in dealing with suicidal issues in friends, family, and self also observed. The PARS was also highly rated by treatment staff as feasible within their standard clinical practice.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the pilot study of the PARS strongly suggests that broad based suicide prevention in intensive outpatient addiction treatment groups is not only possible but feasible, acceptable, and possibly effective. The pilot data presented here are promising and suggest that futher development and testing of the PARS program or other suicide prevention strategies in addiction treatment settings are indicated.