title: Alcohol and suicidal behavior: what is known and what can be done.
abstract: Research on associations between substances of abuse and suicidal behaviors is a large, complex area. Herein, alcohol, the most commonly abused intoxicant worldwide, is examined with a focus on two topics: (1) acute use of alcohol (AUA) shortly prior to suicidal behavior; and (2) more chronic alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicidal behavior. First, a brief summary of what is known about AUA, AUD, and suicidal behavior is provided. Next, we draw on preliminary evidence, practical considerations, and our own experience to offer recommendations for intervention research that may lower risk associated with AUA and AUD. The literature on AUD and suicidal behavior is more developed, thus we discuss separately research designed to: (1) prevent individuals with AUD with suicidal ideation from engaging in suicidal behavior; and (2) prevent individuals with AUD who have made a suicide attempt from reattempting. Our focus is on clinical intervention strategies for individuals at risk for suicidal behavior that use alcohol or have developed AUD. We also focus on applied research that may directly lead to practical prevention efforts. Although clinical interventions are important components of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, they should be complemented with primary prevention efforts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester; VISN2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York. Electronic address: kenneth_conner@urmc.rochester.edu.
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Conner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Courtney L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bagge
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Goldston
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ilgen
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012306:Risk; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention