The Relation of Mood and Behavior to Alcohol use in Adolescent Suicide Attempts

In this study, rates of substance use in a sample of adolescents who had attempted suicide were examined as were the relationships of mood state & behavior problems to substance use. 7% of the sample reported alcohol or other drug use at the time of the attempt. About one third of the sample reported having been drunk at least once & one fifth reported at least one alcohol-related problem; 6% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for either alcohol abuse or dependence. Results suggest that alcohol use among suicide attempters is more strongly related to conduct than mood disorders. (46 refs)