Drugs left at home by psychiatric inpatients.

Abstract

Robin, Brooke, and Freeman-Browne (1968) reported that during the years 1952-64 an increasing proportion of suicides in the county borough of Suuthend were known to have had contact with the psychiatric services of the town at some time in their lives, often within three months of suicide. Of 92 patients who later committed suicide 72 (78 %) were diagnosed as suffering from affective disorders when first psychiatrically examined, and the great majority (79%) of those with a psychiatric contact) were at some time treated as inpatients. Patients committing suicide had a history of an earlier suicidal attempt more often than other psychiatric patients. Approximately 40% of suicides by patients were from poisoning with drugs, the majority using barbiturates. In view of the fact that psychiatric contacts and particularly admissions were involved, and that drugs were a common method of suicide, it was decided to study the frequency with which patients admitted to psychiatric beds from Southend left drugs at home, the characteristics of such patients, and.the general indications of the drugs involved. Age.-A direct association was found with age for both day and night medication, and roughly twice as many patients over the age of 65 left medicines as those under 25. MethodSex and Civil State.-The same proportion of each sex were found to have left drugs at home. There was a tendency for women to leave more day medication than men, and for men to leave more night sedation than women, but the differences were not statistically significant. A higher proportion of the men as compared with the women were single, and a lower proportion widowers than widows. There were no differences between the single men and women, but a higher proportion of married men than married women were found to have left drugs at home. On the other hand, the individuals with large numbers of bottles were predominantly housewives (five of the seven who left more than three bottles were in this category).Premorbid Personality.-So far as their premorbid personality was concerned, those who were ingenuous or trusting left drugs more often than those who were described as suspicious (Table I)

The Preventive Effect of Strict Gun Control Laws On Suicide and Homicide

“…The availability of barbiturates and other prescription drugs, however, has been seen as an added factor making impulsive suicide more likely (Lester, 1972). Robin and Freeman‐Browne (1968) noted that the majority of attempted suicides are released into a home environment where abundant quantities of lethal methods exist. Barraclough, Nelson, Bunch and Sainsbury (1971) have made a similar point.…”

General Evaluation of Pipotiazine Palmitate in Hospitalized and Open Ward Patients With Functional Psychosis

“…A more personal consequence of drug defaulting relates to the enormous economic wastage involved (Curdiner (1968) ) ; and a less quantifiable factor is the potential hazard to health posed by cupboards stocked with unused and unidentifiable tablets accumulated over the years. The substantial significance of such findings was iUust ated in a British investigation in which unused medication in the homes of psychiatric patients was examined and it was found that those with suicidal risk often had such supplies available (Robin & Freeman-Browne (1968) ).…”