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Unnatural Death among Treatment Seeking Substance Users in Singapore: A Retrospective Study

Author

Listed:
  • Asharani PV

    (Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore)

  • Tan Jun Wen

    (National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore)

  • Mohamed Zakir Karuvetil

    (National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore)

  • Alvin Cheong

    (National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore)

  • Christopher Cheok

    (Forensic Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore)

  • Gomathinayagam Kandasami

    (National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747, Singapore)

Abstract

Substance use carries a higher risk of unnatural death. A retrospective analysis of 42 treatment seekers between 2011–2015 was conducted through medical record review to understand the profile and circumstances leading to premature deaths. Ninety percent of the subjects were males. The mean age at death was 44.9 (SD ± 13.1). Opioids (52.4%), benzodiazepines (45.2%) and alcohol (35.7%) were the main substances used by the group. Suicide was the most common cause of death ( n = 27, 64.3%) followed by accidents ( n = 15; 35.7%). Among the suicide cases, alcohol was the main substance used (33.3%) followed by opioids (25.9%). A total of 58.5% ( n = 24) deaths occurred within a year of their last visit while 41.5% ( n = 17) were dead more than a year after their last visit. Of the total cases ( n = 41), 63% had a history of mental illness with depressive disorder (53.8%) being the most common. History of suicide attempts were reported in 34.1% ( n = 14) of cases and 50% of the subjects ( n = 21) had a history of suicidal ideation. Drug related offences were reported in 57.1% of the subjects, of which 60% ( n = 18) committed suicide. The findings support the need for appropriate treatment resources to reduce the untimely deaths among substance users.

Suggested Citation

  • Asharani PV & Tan Jun Wen & Mohamed Zakir Karuvetil & Alvin Cheong & Christopher Cheok & Gomathinayagam Kandasami, 2019. "Unnatural Death among Treatment Seeking Substance Users in Singapore: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2743-:d:253594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nahid Darvishi & Mehran Farhadi & Tahereh Haghtalab & Jalal Poorolajal, 2015. "Alcohol-Related Risk of Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempt, and Completed Suicide: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Maurizio Pompili & Gianluca Serafini & Marco Innamorati & Giovanni Dominici & Stefano Ferracuti & Giorgio D. Kotzalidis & Giulia Serra & Paolo Girardi & Luigi Janiri & Roberto Tatarelli & Leo Sher & D, 2010. "Suicidal Behavior and Alcohol Abuse," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-40, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. T. Wing Lo & Jerf W. K. Yeung & Cherry H. L. Tam, 2020. "Substance Abuse and Public Health: A Multilevel Perspective and Multiple Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-7, April.

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