62 alcohol addicts who had been assessed in the outpatient department of the Maudsley Hospital but had subsequently either refused treatment or been rejected as unsuitable were followed up after an average of 6.7 years. 11 patients had died, 5 by suicide. The suicide rate was 58 times higher than expected. The fate of the 49 patients in this study who were regarded as suitable for treatment had they been willing was compared with the fate of 50 treated patients previously followed up for 4 years. More patients in the untreated group completed suicide (4 vs 1). (17 refs)