Among women veterans, past-year cannabis use disorder was associated with nearly 4 times higher odds of suicidal ideation, and lifetime cannabis use doubled the odds of suicide plans.
VA mental health providers, veteran suicide prevention programs, and women veterans health researchers.
Cannabis use disorder was associated with 3.93x higher odds of suicidal ideation in women veterans
What the researchers found
Women veterans had increased odds of suicidality compared to peers. Past-year cannabis use disorder increased odds of suicidal ideation nearly fourfold in women veterans (aOR=3.93, 95% CI: 1.21-13.81). Lifetime cannabis use doubled odds of suicide plans (aOR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.03-3.96). Cocaine and stimulant use also increased suicide plan odds.
Why it matters
Women veterans face disproportionately high suicide rates. Identifying cannabis use disorder as a particularly strong risk factor provides a modifiable target for suicide prevention in this vulnerable population.
The numbers in context
N=131,344. Cannabis use disorder and suicidal ideation in women vets: aOR=3.93 (95% CI: 1.21-13.81, p=.033). Lifetime cannabis use and suicide plans: aOR=2.02 (95% CI: 1.03-3.96, p=.040). Lifetime cocaine and plans: aOR=2.24 (95% CI: 1.20-4.05, p=.011).
How the study worked
Analysis of 2015-2019 NSDUH data (n=131,344). Binary logistic regression examining substance use and suicidality, adjusted for demographics, stratified by sex and veteran status.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional NSDUH data cannot establish temporal or causal relationships. Small number of women veterans with CUD limits statistical power (wide confidence intervals). Self-reported substance use and suicidality may be underreported. Cannot distinguish between cannabis causing suicidality and suicidal individuals self-medicating with cannabis.
How to read the evidence
Large nationally representative sample with appropriate stratification, but cross-sectional design, wide confidence intervals, and self-report limit strength.
When this study was published
2025 publication with 2015-2019 NSDUH data.
The bigger picture
The specificity of CUD (not combined drug use disorders) predicting suicidal ideation in women veterans suggests cannabis may play a unique role in suicidality for this population, potentially through its effects on mood regulation or social isolation.
Questions still open
- Does treating CUD in women veterans reduce suicidal ideation?
- Why is CUD specifically (not combined drug use) associated with suicidality in women veterans?
Read the original research
The Association Between Substance Use and Suicidality Among Women Veterans, 2015 to 2019: A Secondary Analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 10783903251398530
Citation
Kameg, Brayden. (2025). The Association Between Substance Use and Suicidality Among Women Veterans, 2015 to 2019: A Secondary Analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 10783903251398530. https://doi.org/10.1177/10783903251398530
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