Alcohol Consumption, Alcoholics Anonymous Membership, and Suicide Mortality Rates, Ontario, 1968-1991

The impact of alcohol consumption levels, Alcoholics Anonymous membership rates, & unemployment rates on suicide rates in Ontario from 1968-1991 was studied. Total alcohol consumption & consumption of each of beer, distilled spirits, & wine were significantly & positively related to total & female suicide rates. Although data for males did not reach significance (except for the relationship between wine consumption & suicide rate), the direction of effects was consistent with that observed for female & total suicide rates. Unemployment rates were positively related to male & total sucide rates in some models. (46 refs.)