Alchohol-Related Suicides in Victims With a History of Hospital-Treated Depression

1585 suicide victims from northern Finland were studied & assigned to one of three groups, based on lifetime history of depression, alcohol-related disorders, & both together. Survival times in the 3 groups were compared. Survival times in depressed alcoholic & non-alcoholic males were significantly shorter than those of males with alcohol-related disorders alone. Depressed but non-alcoholic suicide victims had more commonly used violent methods, had less often been under the influence of alcohol, & had had more psychotic disorders than the rest. It is important in clinical practice to recognize the increased risk of suicide soon after hospital discharge not only in depressed patients, but also in those with a history of both depression & alcohol-related disorders. (32 refs.)