Studies consistently show suicide and suicidal behaviors are highly related to substance use disorders (SUDs). In fact, recent reviews find that the risk of suicide is 10-17 times higher for people using multiple drugs, injecting drugs, and for alcohol use disorders. Pilot testing of Preventing Addiction Related Suicide (PARS), a psychoeducational suicide prevention program developed by Rick Ries, MD, demonstrated significant post-intervention increases in client knowledge of suicide and decreases in maladaptive attitudes toward suicide. The likelihood of positive help seeking to prevent suicide for themselves as well as for a friend and for family all doubled for the month after the program compared to the month before.

A new Stage III effectiveness trial led by Kate Comtois, PhD, MPH, aims to evaluate the effectiveness and utility of PARS utilizing a novel, randomized stepped wedge design with 900 clients in 15 community addiction treatment sites across Washington. PARS is taught as a single 3-hour module integrated into a standard group therapy-oriented Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), the most common form of community drug abuse treatment. If proven effective, PARS will allow community addiction treatment agencies to be key players in the national suicide prevention strategy by providing accurate suicide prevention information, improving attitudes toward suicide, and increasing help-seeking skills to one of the most high-risk suicidal populations in the country. The study is being funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.