Gambling Problems and Attempted Suicide: Part II-Alcohol Abuse Increases Suicide Risk

Alcohol misuse is commonly associated with problem gambling & suicide attempts. This study included seventy patients admitted to a hospital in Auckland, New Zealand immediately following a suicide attempt. The first part of this study identifies 12 patients as being positive on the Eight Gambling Screen. Of these individuals, 75% were positive on an alcohol abuse screen. The severity of the suicide attempt between patients screened as problem gamblers & those who were not did not differ. (20 refs.)