Opioid Overdose Suicides May Be More Common Than Previously Believed: Report

A new report indicates that the number of opioid overdose deaths that are actually suicides may be much higher than estimates currently suggest. 

According to Kaiser Health News, a review of opioid studies may reveal that up to 45% of all opioid overdoses were suicides.

The Kaiser Health News report evaluated current research on opioid overdoses, indicating that the state of Massachusetts currently estimates that about 2% of opioid overdoses in the state are suicides.

The state began recognizing some opioid overdoses as suicides in May 2017. However, like many other states and medical facilities, it is hard to determine a person’s true intent for suicide after the fact.

This is especially the case when 40% of drug users battle depression, anxiety or another mental health issue that increases their risk of suicide.

Medical examiners use different criteria to distinguish a suicide or standard overdose. A review of available literature on opioid overdoses indicates 25 to 45% of deaths by overdose may be suicides.

One study concluded 54% of overdoses were unintentional. However, the remainder were suicide attempts or undetermined, leaving a wide margin that could be suicides.

The opioid epidemic has worsened in recent years. A recent study indicated approximately two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. are from opioids. Meanwhile, suicide rates have hit a 30 year high. However, few medical professionals are examining the link.

Research points to the way opioids are prescribed after surgery, unnecessary prescriptions, and unnecessary refills as contributing to the worsening opioid epidemic.

It can be difficult to determine whether an overdose was a suicide. A study published in 2017 concluded opioid overdoses are severely under reported across the country. The opioid crisis and suicide rates may be worse than believed, the report noted.

Another consideration is whether the patient had mental health issues that lead to substance abuse, or if it was a lifetime of substance abuse which triggered mental health problems.

In a study of 5 million veterans, drug users addicted to opioid painkillers faced an increased risk of suicide, especially among women. In fact, women were eight times as likely as men to be at risk for suicide. Male veterans faced a twofold risk compared to their peers.

Other research indicates steps taken to mitigate the crisis, such as tamper-proof pills, are not helping to reduce the skyrocketing numbers of abuse, overdoses, and suicides.

Researchers warn that suicide, opioid abuse, and diseases related to alcoholism are often issues that are connected. As the opioid epidemic worsens, suicides and other mental health disorders may worsen as well.