Opioid, benzodiazepine misuse linked to suicidality

Recent use of prescription opioids or benzodiazepines as prescribed was not associated with suicidal ideation in a study involving older adults, but recent misuse of opioids or benzodiazepines was associated with suicidal ideation in this group.

Published this month in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the study involving data for more than 17,000 adults ages 50 and older found that the rate of past-year suicidal ideation was 25.4% in individuals reporting misuse of both prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. By comparison, the past-year rate of suicidal ideation was only 2.2% among older adults who were not misusing either prescription opioids or benzodiazepines.

The study found that past-year prescription opioid misuse was associated with an 84% increased risk of past-year suicidal ideation, while past-year benzodiazepine misuse was associated with a twofold increased risk of past-year suicidal ideation.

Study lead author Ty Schepis of Texas State University says the finding regarding this link “is particularly concerning because these medications are commonly prescribed to older adults. Prescribers and other health professionals are encouraged to screen for prescription opioid or benzodiazepine misuse in older adults who are prescribed these medications to prevent suicide.”