The Impact of Cannabis Use Disorder on Suicidal and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Iraq/Afghanistan-Era Veterans with and without Mental Health Disorders

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2018 Apr;48(2):140-148. doi: 10.1111/sltb.12345. Epub 2017 Mar 13.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and self-injury among veterans. As expected, after adjusting for sex, age, sexual orientation, combat exposure, traumatic life events, traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, alcohol use disorder, and noncannabis drug use disorder, CUD was significantly associated with both suicidal (OR = 3.10, p = .045) and nonsuicidal (OR = 5.12, p = .009) self-injury. CUD was the only variable significantly associated with self-injury in all three models examined. These findings are consistent with prior research among civilians and suggest that CUD may also increase veterans' risk for self-injurious behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afghan Campaign 2001-*
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011*
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / diagnosis
  • Marijuana Abuse / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / diagnosis
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Veterans / psychology*