Number and Type of Substances in Alcohol and Drug-Related Completed Suicides in an Australian Sample

This study examined the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics & the number, type, & level of drugs present in an unrestricted age sample of completed suicides in Queensland. An analysis was done of 893 substance-related suicides using government data for the years 1989-1992. The number & type of substances present were related to the individuals’ gender, age, marital status, employment status, & method of suicide. Blood alcohol level was significantly different between the methods of suicide but was unrelated to demographic characteristics. Level of antidepressants & minor tranquilizers was also unrelated to demographic factors. (13 refs.)