Prescription drug-related suicide attempts up 49 percent among women 50 and up, new federal study says

SALT LAKE CITY — Abuse of narcotic pain relievers, insomnia drugs and anxiety drugs by women is landing a growing number of them in emergency rooms for drug-related suicide attempts.

A recent report by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows a 49 percent rise in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts by women aged 50 and older between 2005 and 2009.

While some of the increase can be attributed to population growth of women in this age group, the study found stark increases in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts involving drugs that treat anxiety, insomnia and pain, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone products.

Michael Dulle, clinical director of the Salt Lake substance abuse treatment center Odyssey House, said he is personally aware of five to eight female patients, ages 50 and up, who have been hospitalized for accidental overdoses or suicide attempts from prescription drugs in the past 18 months.

Some report being depressed, feeling hopeless, having nowhere to go or feeling abandoned by their support systems, sometimes because of their substance abuse.

"A lot of alcohol mixed with that makes it more dangerous and life-threatening, too," Dulle said.

The problem is made worse by the ready availability of many powerful and addictive prescription drugs, he said.

"There are very few cases we see that didn't develop their addictions through prescription drugs," Dulle said. By the time many people enter treatment, however, they've moved on to illegal drugs such as heroin.

Federal SAMHSA administrator Pamela S. Hyde said the steep rise in abuse of narcotic pain relievers by women is extremely dangerous.

"We are now seeing the result of this public health crisis in our emergency rooms. Emergency rooms should not be the frontline in our efforts to intervene. Friends, family and all members of the community must do everything possible to identify women who may be in crisis and do everything possible to reach out and get them needed help," Hyde said.

The study also found that emergency room visits for drug-related suicide attempts increased by 30 percent across all age groups.

Emergency department visits climbed 56 percent for suicide attempts related to abuse of anxiety and insomnia medications and 61 percent for narcotic pain relievers.