Pilot RCT of the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) adapted for rapid delivery during hospitalization to adult suicide attempt patients with substance use problems.

OBJECTIVE

The Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) was adapted for hospital delivery and to address substance use problems as well as evaluated for feasibility, acceptability, and therapist fidelity in a series of preparatory steps (n = 28) and in a pilot randomized controlled trial, RCT (n = 34).

METHOD

In the RCT, patients with suicide attempts and substance use problem(s) with sufficient lengths of stay to deliver three ASSIP therapy sessions in hospital were randomized to adapted ASSIP or treatment as usual control. A blinded assessor identified suicide reattempts over 6-month follow-up with the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and a comprehensive multi-source method. Treatment process measures and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI) were also administered.

RESULTS

Median hospital stay was 13 days. ASSIP subjects reported high satisfaction with the treatment and high therapeutic alliance. Study therapists showed high fidelity to the modified ASSIP intervention. Repetition of suicide attempt was common in both study groups including a combined 9 (26%) subjects with reattempt based on C-SSRS and 13 (38%) subjects with reattempt based on multiple sources.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult suicide attempt patients with substance use problems who require lengthy hospitalizations are at exceptionally high risk and may require additional strategies to lower risk.