Intoxication, Criminal Offences and Suicide Attempts in a Group of South African Problem Drinkers

This paper reports on a cross-sectional record study of criminal offences & suicide attempts in 269 admissions to an alcohol rehabilitation unit in the Western Cape. Relationships between crime, violent crime, & suicide attempts were explored. Demographic & alcohol-related variables were also studied. 104 subjects had criminal convictions, the majority of which were committed while the subjects were intoxicated. Suicide attempts (24% of subjects) were associated with females, Caucasians, being single, younger current age, & early age of problem drinking. An association was found between intoxication & both violent crime & suicide attempts. The importance of population studies & the need for intervention programmes for teenagers who are drinking are emphasized. (46 refs.)