Of 298 alcoholics interviewed, 57 had attempted suicide. Compared with nonattempters, attempters were significantly more likely to be female, have a lower socio-economic status, to be younger & to have begun heavy drinking & experienced the onset of alcohol-related problems at an earlier age. Attempters were also more likely to have additional lifetime psychiatric diagnoses including major depression, antisocial personality disorder & to have 1st or 2nd-degree relatives who abused alcohol.