Abstract
<p>The Deaf Off Drugs & Alcohol (DODA) Program provides culturally appropriate recovery services via e-therapy to Deaf and hard of hearing (HH) individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). In the first three years DODA was providing services,149 consumers (107 Deaf, 42 HH) received treatment. A retrospective secondary data analysis sought to examine the lifetime prevalence of suicidal behavior in Deaf individuals receiving alcohol and drug treatment services from the DODA program. The prevalence of self-reported lifetime suicide attempts in the Deaf sample was 42.1%, higher than rates reported for other subgroups with coexisting conditions. Suicidal ideation was reported by 50.5% of Deaf consumers and by 65.1% of Deaf women. Variables significantly associated with suicide attempts included past mental health diagnosis. Possible explanations and future study are discussed.</p>
