@article{ref1,
title="Characteristics and circumstances of cocaine-related completed suicide in Australia, 2000-2021",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2023",
author="Darke, Shane and Duflou, Johan and Peacock, Amy and Farrell, Michael and Lappin, Julia",
volume="244",
number="",
pages="e109803-e109803",
abstract="BACKGROUND: There has been a substantial global increase in cocaine use and associated harms. The current study aimed to: 1. Determine the case characteristics and circumstances of death of cocaine-related suicide in Australia 2000-2021; and 2. Determine the toxicological profiles of cases. <br><br>METHODS: Retrospective study of cocaine-related death in Australia, 2000-2021, retrieved from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). Suicide intent was based upon the NCIS code for &quot;Intentional Self-harm&quot;, derived from case circumstances and coroners' conclusions. Sex comparisons were made for all major variables. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 157 cases were identified, 82.2% male, 79.5% employed, with a mean age of 32.3 years. Concerns for mental health were documented in 65.6%, a previous suicide attempt in 21.0%, a history of substance use treatment and/or negative consequences of substance use in 45.9% and injecting drug use in 14.6%. Manner of death amongst both sexes was predominantly by physical means (82.8%). Written intent was documented in 29.3%. Intense agitation prior to the incident was noted in 28.0% and conflict in 24.8%. The median blood cocaine concentration was 0.060 mg/L (range 0.007-5.500). Other drugs were present in 95.5%, most commonly alcohol (63.1%) with a median concentration of 0.140 g/100 ml. Psychostimulants other than cocaine were present in 31.2%. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The 'typical' cocaine-related suicide case was a male, aged in their early thirties, who was highly likely to be employed. The majority of cases used physical means, and a substantial minority were highly agitated and engaged in conflict prior to the fatal incident.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109803",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109803"
}