Sharp Increase in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts Among Women Over 50
From 2005 to 2009, there was a 49 percent increase in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts by women aged 50 and older. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study also found that among females, suicide attempts involving drugs that treat anxiety and insomnia increased by 56 percent during the same time period.
Similarly, suicide attempts among females involving narcotic painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin rose by more than 30 percent in this time period.
There was a 67 percent increase in the number of cases involving hydrocodone (Vicodin) and a 210 percent increase in cases involving oxycodone (OxyContin). This steep rise suggests that prescription drug abuse among women aged 50 and older is becoming a dangerous problem, and that more needs to be done to prevent both prescription drug abuse and suicide attempts.
SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D, said that emergency rooms should not be the place for intervention efforts, and that friends and family members need to do everything they can to help identify women who may be suicidal and get them the help they need before they end up in the emergency room.
Common signs of those who may be suicidal include talking about wanting to die, having feelings of hopelessness, acting anxious and agitated, using alcohol and drugs, withdrawing, and displaying mood swings.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or abusing prescription drugs, please seek professional treatment immediately.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)