Comparison of 3190 Alcohol-Dependent Individuals With and Without Suicide Attempts

The aim of this study is to identify & confirm risk factors for suicide attempts in a large family-based sample of alcoholics. Alcohol-dependent individuals with a history of suicide attempts were found to have a significantly more severe course of alcohol dependence & a higher prevalence of both independent & substance-induced psychiatric disorders & other substance dependence. First-degree relatives of subjects with suicide attempts showed a significantly higher rate of suicide attempts, even after controlling for additional relevant diagnoses. (57 refs)