Drinking alcohol increases the risk of suicide

It is a scientifically proven fact: patients addicted to alcohol have an increased risk of suicide. On the other hand, the correlation between the effects of alcohol (sense of guilt, loss of memory, various injuries, etc.) and the risk of suicide or self-harm is much less known. A gray area, which scientists from University College London have tried to clarify.

14,949 adults were recruited

To better understand the nature of the relationship between alcohol and suicide, the researchers recruited 14,949 adults. All responded to questionnaires (measured by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test – AUDIT) relating to their consumption habits.

The number of suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts and self-harm were also measured.

Results ? The team of researchers found that people who worried about their loved ones (about their drinking) did the best”predictor of suicide and self-harm risk“.

Thus, people whose friends, family or co-workers expressed concern about their drinking were three times more likely than those who did not.”of having attempted suicide in the past year, two and a half times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and one and a half times more likely to self-harm“.

In addition, three specific factors (symptoms of addiction, harmful effects of alcohol consumption, and excessive alcohol consumption) were associated”increased likelihood of suicide, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm“, warn the researchers.

Finally, participants addicted to alcohol (impossible to stop drinking, need to drink after an intense session, etc.) and those who complained of adverse effects following too much alcohol (feeling of guilt, loss of memory, various injuries, etc.) were also more likely to commit suicide or self-harm.

The researchers could not, however, confirm whether it was problematic alcohol consumption that impaired the mental health of individuals, or whether this consumption was a sign of already declining mental health. In both cases, the hypotheses seem plausible.

Alcohol disorders can be corrected

Good news: excess alcohol is “a modifiable risk factor for suicide and self-harm”, say the researchers. It would therefore be possible to help alcoholics and prevent their suicide attempts.