High Risk or Risky Highs: Understanding the Links Between Alcohol and Cannabis Use on the Transition From Suicidal Ideation to Attempts in Australian Men

• Published in: Archives of suicide research Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 600 - 609
• Main Authors: Mason, Andre, Riordan, Benjamin C., Morley, Kirsten, Winter, Taylor, Haber, Paul, Scarf, Damian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02.04.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Alcohol use; Australia - epidemiology; Australian men; cannabis use; High risk; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Marijuana; Marijuana Use - epidemiology; Marijuana Use - psychology; Men; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Suicidal behavior; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide; Suicide, Attempted - psychology; Suicide, Attempted - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Australia; Australian men; cannabis use; suicide; Alcohol use
• ISSN: 1381-1118; 1543-6136
• DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2023.2199801

Alcohol and cannabis use are consistently associated with greater risk of suicide, particularly among men and in higher-income countries (e.g., Australia). Adult data (n = 7,464) from waves 1 and 2 of Ten to Men: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health were used to explore whether alcohol and/or cannabis use increased the longitudinal risk of a suicide attempt among suicidal ideators. Cannabis use was associated with increased risk of transitioning from suicidal ideation to making a suicide attempt; no association was found for alcohol. Broadly, these findings indicate that greater cannabis but not alcohol use may increase risk of transitioning to making a suicide attempt among those who are thinking about suicide.