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Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence to Reduce the Risk of Death by Suicide

2019 Standard Research Grant

Amount Awarded: $99,468

Focus Area: Clinical Treatment Studies

Bradley Watts, M.D., M.P.H.

Bradley Watts, M.D., M.P.H.

Dartmouth College

Grant Information

There is a 13 times higher rate of death by suicide in people with opioid use disorder (OUD) as compared to the general population. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid dependence is a standard part of treatment. By examining medical records and pharmacy data linked with death records of a large group of patients treated with MAT in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), this study will examine whether MAT is associated with reduced suicide deaths among opioid users.

Key Findings

  • Treatment with medications for Opioid Use Disorder reduces risk for suicide.
  • In a large sample of Veterans with opioid use disorders treated at a Veterans Administration Hospital, Dr. Watts found a 50% decrease in risk for suicide mortality among those prescribed medications specifically addressing their opioid use.
  • Individuals who started medication showed evidence of reduced risk. There was a greater reduction in risk for those who stayed on medication

Related Publication

  1. Watts, B. V., Gottlieb, D. J., Riblet, N. B., Gui, J., & Shiner, B. (2022). Association of Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder With Suicide Mortality. American Journal of Psychiatry, 179(4), 298–304. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.21070700