Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction Previous studies have shown that prescription sleep medications are associated with suicide ideation. In this study we seek to identify the risk of off-label or illicit use of sedatives/hypnotics to predict suicidal ideation. Methods Data were from the Sleep and Healthy Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) Study, including N=1,003 working-age adults. For the present study, the data on off-label or illicit stimulants and sedatives were examined. Suicide ideation was assessed by whether participant reported any ideation in the past 2 weeks (PHQ, Item #9). Covariates included age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and smoking. Additional models included adjustment for insomnia severity (ISI), daytime sleepiness (ESS), sleep duration (NHANES), psychiatric health (PHQ4), and general stress (PSS). Results In adjusted models examining sedatives/hypnotic use, higher likelihood of suicidal ideation was associated with any use (OR=1.77, 95%CI[1.26,2.47]), recent use (OR=2.71, 95%CI[1.77,4.15]), desire to use (OR=2.14, 95%CI[2.74,6.26]),problematic use (OR=7.39, 95%CI[3.32,16.47]), role limitations (OR=7.94, 95%CI[3.39,18.59]), others expressing concern (OR=4.38, 95%CI([2.29,8.41]), and inability to control use (OR=7.15, 95%CI[3.60,14.20]). Similarly, models examining stimulant use showed that higher likelihood of suicide ideation was associated with history of use (OR=1.81, 95%CI[2.01,3.93]), recent use (OR=4.44, 95%CI[2.63,7.49]), desire to use (4.82, 95%CI[2.78,8.34]), problematic use (OR=17.04, 95%CI[5.67,51.24]), role limitations (OR=9.07, 95%CI[3.47,23.68]), others expressing concern (OR=17.26, 95%CI([7.48,39.84]), and inability to control use (OR=6.44, 95%CI[3.26,12.71]). When sleep and mental health variables were added to the model, results were attenuated but remained significant at the p<.05 level. Conclusion Illicit use of substances that both promote sleep or arousal are associated with suicidal ideation, over and above contributions of sleep disturbance and mood/stress. It is possible that these behaviors represent self-medication attempts or an adverse effect of these drugs. Further research on these problematic associations is recommended. Support (If Any)
Source: SLEEP
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4281993542