Relationship Between Alcohol use Disorders and Suicidality in a Psychiatric Population

Consecutive psychiatric patients were interviewed with a lifestyle survey that included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Admission case notes were reviewed in order to measure prevalence of alcohol use disorders. Out of 200 subjects, 48.5% scored 8 or more (indicating hazardous or harmful alcohol use) 22.5% scored 16 or more (indicating significant alcohol dependence). There were no significant gender differences. Alcohol misuse was strongly associated with suicidality. (23 refs).