Drugs and suicide in the United States

Abstract

Although the suicide rate has remained constant with population growth during recent years, the pattern of methods for suicide has changed markedly. The use of drugs for suicide has increased disproportionately, while other means have fallen out of favor. The available data indicate that the increased suicide rate from drugs is not due to the use of the widely prescribed nonbarbiturate hypnotics and tranquilizers but can be accounted for entirely by the use of barbiturates.