Demographic risk factors for co-occurring suicidality and cannabis use disorders: Findings from a nationally representative United States sample. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelly, Lourah M.; Drazdowski, Tess K.; Livingston, Nicholas R.; Zajac, Kristyn
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 122(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Cannabis use disorder -- Suicidal ideation -- Suicide attempt -- Nationally representative; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Demographic groups show disparities in suicidality and cannabis use disorder (CUD) Men (vs women) had higher odds of co-occurring suicidal ideation (SI) + CUD. Emerging adults (vs older adults) had higher odds of SI + CUD and suicide attempts + CUD. Black and Latinx (vs non-Hispanic White) adults had higher odds of suicide attempts + CUD. Sexual minority (vs heterosexual) adults had higher odds of SI + CUD. Abstract: Objective: Burgeoning research suggests a link between suicidality (i.e., ideation, attempts) and cannabis use; however, little is known about which demographic groups are at increased risk of co-occurring suicidality and cannabis use disorders (CUD). This study tested differences in suicidality, CUD, and their co-occurrence by gender, age, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation in a nationally representative U.S. sample. Method: Five years (2015–2019) of National Survey of Drug Use and Heath surveys were combined. Multinomial logistic regressions tested demographic differences in odds of suicidality only, CUD only, and co-occurring CUD and suicidality, relative to neither suicidality nor CUD. Covariates included survey year, major depressive episode, and other substance use disorders. Results: Men had higher odds of co-occurring suicidal ideation and CUD than women (AOR = 2.06). All older age groups reported lower odds of co-occurring suicidal ideation and CUD and co-occurring suicide attempts and CUD than emerging adults (AORs = 0.06-0.39). Black/African American (AOR = 1.42) and Native (AOR = 2.16) adults reported higher odds of co-occurring suicidal ideation and CUD than White adults. Black/African American (AOR = 4.05) and Hispanic/Latinx (AOR = 2.49) adults reported higher odds of co-occurring CUD and suicide attempts than White adults. Gay/lesbian (AOR = 2.04) and bisexual (AOR = 3.16) adults reported higher odds of co-occurring suicidal ideation and CUD than heterosexual adults. Conclusions: Men, emerging adults, Black/African American, Native, and sexual minority groups had elevated risk of co-occurring suicidal ideation and CUD. Emerging adults, Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latinx groups had elevated risk of co-occurring suicide attempts and CUD.