Adults Who Use Illicit Drugs More Likely to Think About Suicide: Survey

Thoughts of suicide are more common among adults who use illicit drugs, compared with the general population, according to a new government survey.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found 9.4 percent of people using illicit drugs had suicidal thoughts, compared with 3.9 percent of the general population, HealthDay reports.

The rate of suicidal thoughts varied depending on the type of drug people use. The survey found 20.9 percent of people who use sedatives for nonmedical purposes had suicidal thoughts, compared with 9.6 percent of people who use marijuana, 13 percent of people who use pain relievers nonmedically, and 14.7 percent of people who use cocaine.

The survey included about 70,000 people ages 12 and older.

“Suicide takes a devastating toll on individuals, families and communities across our nation,” Dr. Peter Delany, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, said in a news release. “We must reach out to all segments of our community to provide them with the support and treatment they need so that we can help prevent more needless deaths and shattered lives.”