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Use of Alcohol and Unprescribed Drugs after Suicide Bereavement: Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Eng

    (UCL Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, 26 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AP, UK)

  • Lauren Drabwell

    (UCL Centre for Behaviour Change, Research Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK)

  • Fiona Stevenson

    (UCL Research Department of Primary Care & Population Health, Rowland Hill St, London NW3 2PF, UK)

  • Michael King

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK
    Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London NW1 0PE, UK)

  • David Osborn

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK
    Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London NW1 0PE, UK)

  • Alexandra Pitman

    (UCL Division of Psychiatry, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF, UK
    Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, St Pancras Hospital, London NW1 0PE, UK)

Abstract

Studies describing the impact of suicide bereavement report an excess risk of suicide, suicide attempt, psychiatric illness, and drug and alcohol use disorders compared with the general population. However, the nature of patterns of drug and alcohol use after suicide bereavement is unclear. We used an online survey to collect qualitative data to understand whether and how drug and alcohol use changes after suicide bereavement. We conducted thematic analysis of free-text responses to a question capturing their use of alcohol and drugs after the suicide of a family member or a close friend. Analysing data from 346 adults in Britain aged 18–40, we identified three main themes describing the relationship of suicide bereavement to alcohol or drug use: (1) control over drug or alcohol use, (2) the perceived purpose of using drugs or alcohol, and (3) the attribution of drug or alcohol misuse to external factors. Overlying these themes were dimensions of control and of awareness of potential harms. This study highlights that increased use of drugs and alcohol after suicide bereavement may form part of a bereaved person’s coping strategies, and that sensitive approaches are needed when judging whether and when to intervene.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Eng & Lauren Drabwell & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Alexandra Pitman, 2019. "Use of Alcohol and Unprescribed Drugs after Suicide Bereavement: Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4093-:d:279728
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Victoria Ross & Kairi Kõlves & Lisa Kunde & Diego De Leo, 2018. "Parents’ Experiences of Suicide-Bereavement: A Qualitative Study at 6 and 12 Months after Loss," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Pitman, Alexandra L. & Stevenson, Fiona & Osborn, David P.J. & King, Michael B., 2018. "The stigma associated with bereavement by suicide and other sudden deaths: A qualitative interview study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 121-129.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pilar Andrés-Olivera & Judit García-Aparicio & María Teresa Lozano López & José Antonio Benito Sánchez & Carmen Martín & Ana Maciá-Casas & Armando González-Sánchez & Miguel Marcos & Carlos Roncero, 2022. "Impact on Sleep Quality, Mood, Anxiety, and Personal Satisfaction of Doctors Assigned to COVID-19 Units," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Lauren Drabwell & Jessica Eng & Fiona Stevenson & Michael King & David Osborn & Alexandra Pitman, 2020. "Perceptions of the Use of Alcohol and Drugs after Sudden Bereavement by Unnatural Causes: Analysis of Online Qualitative Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Alexandra Pitman & Fiona Stevenson & David Osborn, 2022. "Investigating Whether Bereavement by Suicide and Other Unnatural Causes Has a Deterrent Effect on Alcohol or Drug Use in Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Karl Andriessen & Karolina Krysinska & Debra Rickwood & Jane Pirkis, 2020. "“It Changes Your Orbit”: The Impact of Suicide and Traumatic Death on Adolescents as Experienced by Adolescents and Parents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-18, December.

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