Adverse Social Consequences of Alcohol use and Alcoholism (IN: Alcohol and Health, 5th Special Report to the U.S. Congress, by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

This article discusses the link between alcoholism & destructive behavior. Traffic, pedestrian, occupational, home & recreational accidents are detailed, as well as homicide, rape, divorce, family violence & suicide. A number of studies on the rates of suicide among alcoholics are briefly outlined. The difficulty in attributing suicide to alcoholism is debated. Is alcoholism the main factor in suicides involving alcohol, or does depression lead to alcoholism? (VM)