A retrospective review of hospital records from the Alaska Native Medical Center is presented for 33 Alaska Native suicide completers who died between 1980 & 1984. Suicide rates for Alaska Natives were twice the national average during the study period. The only significant difference between the suicide & control groups was the history of a prior suicide attempt. Alcohol abuse was diagnosed more often than any other psychiatric disorder in the suicide group & appears to be the most important antecedent of suicide in this study. (28 refs) (SC)