Suicide Attempt by Toothbrush Consumption in a Polysubstance-dependent Person

JOURNAL TITLE: Indian Journal of Private Psychiatry

Author
1. Sarthak Kamath
2. Shreekara Adiga
ISSN
2319-5363
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10067-0107
Volume
16
Issue
1
Publishing Year
2022
Pages
2
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Psychiatry, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
    1. Department of Psychiatry, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  • Article keywords
    Polysubstance dependence, Suicide, Toothbrushes

    Abstract

    Aim: To report a case of suicidal attempt by toothbrush consumption in a polysubstance-dependent person. Background: Substance dependence is a common psychiatric illness. Tobacco and alcohol are the most commonly abused drugs. Polysubstance dependence has the highest prevalence in 18–29-year-old people at 13%. Suicide is one of the most dangerous consequences and is more than ten times the rate in the general population. Case description: We present a case of a 19-year-old unemployed male patient from Bengaluru who is dependent on tobacco, cannabis, and cocaine with heroin use in a harmful use pattern. He attempted on life by consuming four toothbrushes for which surgical intervention was done and they were removed successfully. In addition, he had substance-induced psychosis and possibility of antisocial personality disorder. We applied the alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test (ASSIST) scale, which showed a moderate risk of a health problem with tobacco, cannabis, and cocaine. Conclusion: This is a unique method of a suicide attempt by consuming four toothbrushes in a substance-dependent person. Clinical implications: Polysubstance dependence is frequently complicated by suicide attempts. Our case report shows that even apparently harmless objects like toothbrushes could be used to attempt on life. Hence, it is imperative to keep such patients with suicidal risk under 24-hour supervision to prevent complications.

    © 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved