High schoolers who misuse prescription opioids are at higher risk for suicidal behaviors, study finds

(CNN) - About one of every three high school students who said they were misusing prescription opioids when they were surveyed reported they had attempted suicide, according to a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

Previously, researchers have reported that young people who had misused prescription opioids at any point were at higher risk for suicidality, which the American Psychological Association defines as the "risk of suicide, usually indicated by suicidal ideation or intent" and a detailed plan to carry it out.

Authors of the new study investigated whether the timing of teens' prescription opioid misuse - if it was current (in the 30 days preceding the survey), in the past or never - affected its link to suicidality.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/health/opioid-epidemic-suicidal-behaviors-teens-wellness/index.html