Excess mortality among individuals who have undergone addiction treatment: a study from Greenland

Abstract

In Greenland, where addiction-related concerns significantly affect well-being, research has explored alcohol’s impact on health and mortality. However, no studies have focused on mortality among those who received addiction treatment. This study investigates whether individuals treated for addiction in Greenland experience elevated mortality rates compared to the general population. The study encompassed individuals receiving addiction treatment through the national system between 2012 and December 31, 2022. Data on treatment were sourced from the National Addiction Database, and Statistics Greenland. Person-years at risk were calculated and used to estimate crude mortality rates (CMRs). Adjusted standardized mortality rates (SMRs), accounting for age, sex, and calendar year, were estimated using an indirect method based on observed and expected deaths. Of the 3286 in treatment, 53.9% were women, with a median age of 37. About a third had undergone multiple treatment episodes, and 60.1% received treatment in 2019 or later. The cohort was followed for a median of 2.89 years, yielding 12,068 person-years. The overall CMR was 7.79 deaths per 1000 person-years, with a SMR of 1.42 (95% confidence interval: 1.15; 1.74). Significantly, SMRs differed by age at treatment entry, with younger groups exhibiting higher SMRs (p value = .021). This study found that individuals seeking treatment for addiction problems in Greenland had a higher mortality rate than the general population. Importantly, these SMRs were substantially lower than those observed in clinical populations in other countries.