Risk of suicide in young drug addicts

A high risk of suicide was found in young drug addicts. The risk was especially serious when drug addiction was accompanied by severe personality disorder, depression, or both. Lifetime rates of completed suicide in drug addicts are estimated at 2.5-7.0%, and rates of suicide attempts at 8.0-17.2%. These age-adjusted rates are 5-20 times greater than for the general population. 2 cases of completed suicides by drug addicts in a psychiatric hospital, a man of 32 and a woman of 26, are presented. We recommend increased precaution in handling drug addicts, as for depressed patients with a high suicide risk.