Alcohol Abuse and Suicide Attempt in Iran: A Case-Crossover Study

Abstract

Alcohol use and its disorders are associated with increased risk of suicidal behaviors Research has shown that 6-8% of those who use alcohol have a history of suicide attempt. Given the prohibition of alcohol use legally, the increased alcohol consumption, and the lack of strong evidence in favor of its use associated with suicide in Iran, this study was conducted to determine the link between suicide attempt and alcohol abuse. The case-crossover method was used in this research. Out of 305 referrals to the emergency room due to a suicide attempt, 100 reported drinking alcohol up to six hours before their attempt. Paired Matching and Usual Frequency were employed to analyze the data with STATA 12.0. The probability of attempting suicide up to six hours after drinking alcohol appeared increased by 27 times (95% CI: 8.1-60.4). Separate analysis for each of these hours from the first to the sixth hour after alcohol use was also performed. Fifty percent of attempted suicides happened one hour after alcohol use. Relative risk for the first and second hour was 10% and 5% respectively. Alcohol use is a strong proximal risk factor for attempted suicide among Iranian subjects. Prevention of alcohol use should be considered in setting up of the national Suicide attempt prevention program.

Alcohol Use/Abuse in Suicide Attempters: A Study in Psychiatric Out-Patient Clinic of a Teaching Hospital of Eastern Nepal

“…3 We have 50/150 (33.3%) of the suicide attempt subjects using alcohol before the attempt which is comparable to available literature. 3,18,19 Nearly one third of the subjects (32%) fulfilled the criteria for one or other alcohol use disorder (ICD-10: Acute Intoxication, Harmful use, Alcohol dependence syndrome, other induced disorders) 8 again keeping this study in line with available data from other parts. 3,20 Exploration was made through semi-qualitative approach into the relationship/association of alcohol in suicide attempt.…”

A meta-analysis of acute use of alcohol and the risk of suicide attempt

“…Definitions of suicide attempt varied depending on the report, but most were cases of attempts that led to a medical consultation, usually in emergency settings, suggesting serious attempts. A new report from Iran on 305 cases of suicide attempt (Ghanbari et al 2015) which did report an OR [21.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.0–59.8] associated with AUA was not included in our meta-analyses because information regarding the control period needed for the calculation was not included.…”

Clinical Prediction of Suicide and Undetermined Death: A Pseudo-Prospective Clinical and Medico-Legal Study of Substance Abusers

“…According to one study, 50% of attempted suicides happened within one hour of alcohol use [24]. Attempted suicide can be triggered by alcohol [25], and alcohol use has been associated with a faster transition from suicidal impulse to action [26].…”