Year: 2002 Source: New York: Springer Publishing Co., 2002. p.72-82 SIEC No: 20030500

This chapter analyzes substance abuse & depression in elderly people that die by suicide. Evidence is cited that identifies depression & substance abuse as the first & second largest contributors to suicide in America. Evidence that the loss of a close interpersonal relationship may be a dominant contributing factor to suicide in elderly substance abusers is also included. Implications of these findings for physicians regarding assessment of suicide risk in elderly patients with substance abuse problems are presented. (23 refs) (SC)