Deaths of Despair Among US Young Adults: Risk Factors Associated with Suicidal Behaviors between 2015-2019

Despite the increased use of non-medical prescription drugs (NMPD) as the risk factor of suicide, little is known about links between use of other non-medical prescription drugs and suicidality among young adults aged 18 to 25 old in the United States. This study examined prevalence of the use of different NMPDs and the relationship of the drug use with young adult suicidality. Race and gender were also analyzed as potential factors that contributed to prevalence of suicidality among young adults. Data were from individuals aged 18 to 25 (N = 69,916) in the 2015 - 2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Weighted logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds for suicidal thoughts, suicidal plans, and suicide attempts among young adults who engaged in non-medical prescription opioid use, non-medical prescription stimulant, tranquilizer, and sedative use, and other drugs use in the past year. In particular, young adults who engaged in non-medical prescription opioid use reported a significantly higher prevalence of suicide ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts than their counterparts who do not use the non-medical prescription opioid. Misuse of the non-medical prescription opioid among young adults was associated with 65% higher odds for having suicidal thoughts (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.41, 1.93, p < .001), with 51% higher odds for having suicidal plans (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.18, 1.92, p = .001), and with 39% higher odds for attempting suicide (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.08, 1.79, p < .05) in the past year. Marijuana and other drugs use was associated with 56% and 39% higher odds, respectively, for having suicidal thoughts. Interaction analysis reported that the non-medical prescription opioid use was associated with 67% higher odds among Black young adults for having suicidal thoughts compared to other racial groups. Findings indicated that misuse of non-prescription opioid places young adults at risk for suicide, with Black young adults being at higher risk. Further research is necessary to delineate factors that leave young adults vulnerable to the drug use and inform mental health prevention efforts.