[Addiction to cocaine: a risk factor for suicide?].

Cocaine is an illicit substance which is the greatest suicide-induced potential. Studies show a link between cocaine dependence and suicide. The prevalence of its use, in the days leading up to a suicide, may vary as between 9.4 and 20% according to the chosen method. The number of suicides is important. The acting out may be present at all stages of the addictive cycle associated with cocaine. On the 12th National Day on Suicide Prevention devoted to addictions and suicide, it was recommended that addictive phenomena should be taken more into account by experts in the subject, and that the risk of suicide should be evaluated by specialists in addiction in order that people presenting a risk be placed in appropriate preventative care in time.