Alcoholism and suicidal behavior: a clinical overview.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper was to provide a clinical review of the literature on the relation of alcoholism to suicidal behavior.


METHODS
Studies of alcoholism and suicidal behavior available in MEDLINE, Institute for Scientific Information Databases (Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Arts & Humanities Citation Index), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were identified and reviewed.


RESULTS
Alcoholism is associated with a considerable risk of suicidal behavior. Individuals with alcoholism who attempt or complete suicide are characterized by major depressive episodes, stressful life events, particularly interpersonal difficulties, poor social support, living alone, high aggression/impulsivity, negative affect, hopelessness, severe alcoholism, comorbid substance, especially cocaine abuse, serious medical illness, suicidal communication, and prior suicidal behavior. Partner-relationship disruptions are strongly associated with suicidal behavior in individuals with alcoholism.


CONCLUSIONS
All individuals with alcoholism should receive a suicide risk assessment based on known risk factors.
Sher
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Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. LS2003@columbia.edu
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000077443:Acamprosate; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D009271:Naltrexone; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013654:Taurine