Impact of Comorbid Affective and Alcohol use Disorders on Suicidal Ideation and Attempts

The effect of concurrent affective & alcohol use disorders on suicidal ideation & behaviour was investigated. 307 adult veteran men were classified into 1 of 4 groups based on their Diagnostic Interview Schedule diagnosis. Veterans with a major affective disorder were at greater risk for suicidality than veterans without an affective disorder. Unipolar & bipolar I disorders with a concurrent alcohol use disorder were always associated with an increased risk for suicidality. (56 refs.)