Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Monday, November 8, 2010

Alcohol Involvement in Hospital-Admitted Nonfatal Suicide Acts


We analyzed alcohol involvement in 84,005 medically identified live discharges for self-inflicted intentional injuries (typically suicide acts) from hospitals in 20 U.S. states in 1997.

Alcohol was involved in 27% of the discharges. Evidence of alcohol was significantly more prevalent in men than women, but generally men drink more than women.
 
Blacks had the highest alcohol involvement in their suicide acts relative to their drinking patterns. 

Overall, alcohol involvement rose and subsequently fell with age, with involvement above 30% for ages 30–55. 

Lowering the minimum legal drinking age to 18 from 21 could potentially raise alcohol-involved suicide hospitalizations among youth by an estimated 27%.



Request Reprint E-Mail: