Impulsive and non-impulsive suicide attempts in patients treated for alcohol dependence

Abstract

Background Suicidal behavior has been recognized as an increasing problem among alcohol-dependent subjects. The aim of the study was to identify correlates of impulsive and non-impulsive suicide attempts among a treated population of alcohol-dependent patients. Methods A total of 154 patients with alcohol dependence consecutively admitted for addiction treatment participated in the study. Suicidal behavior was assessed together with severity of alcohol dependence, childhood abuse, impulsivity, and family history. A stop-signal procedure was used as a behavioral measure of impulsivity. Results and conclusions Lifetime suicide attempts were reported by 43% of patients in alcohol treatment; of which 62% were impulsive. Compared to patients without a suicide attempt, those with a non-impulsive attempt were more likely to have a history of sexual abuse (OR = 7.17), a family history of suicide (OR = 4.09), and higher scores on a personality measure of impulsiveness (OR = 2.27). The only significant factor that distinguished patients with impulsive suicide attempts from patients without a suicide attempt and from patients with a non-impulsive suicide attempt was a higher level of behavioral impulsivity (OR = 1.84 – 2.42). Limitations Retrospective self-report of suicide attempts and family history. Lack of diagnostic measure.

Seriousness and lethality of attempted suicide: A systematic review

“…In fact, alcohol and impulsivity are mutually interdependent: impulsive personality traits lead to alcohol use which, in turn, tends to promote impulsive and aggressive actions, thereby leading to more frequent suicide attempts (Brady, 2006). This reciprocal dependence between alcohol and impulsivity is corroborated by the fact that impulsive attempts are very common among individuals with alcohol use disorders (Wojnar et al, 2009) but, also, alcohol-related aggression is generally elevated among impulsive suicide attempters (Conner et al, 2006). Alcoholic attempters exhibit an increased risk of making repeat attempts which present an individually minor, but collectively significant, potential lethality in comparison to planned suicide.…”

“…Many studies have linked impulsivity, suicide attempts and serious childhood problems, like a history of abuse and a family history of suicide (Wojnar et al, 2009;Zouk et al, 2006): impulsivity seems to be both a consequence of trauma and a risk factor for the development of a pathological response to trauma, including suicidal behavior (Braquehais, Oquendo, Baca-García, & Sher, 2010).…”

Development of Scales to Assess Children’s Perceptions of Friend and Parental Influences on Physical Activity

“…Thus the results of this study should be interpreted cautiously. Finally, this study only included several socio-environmental variables (i.e., rainfall, temperature, SEIFA, demographic variables), while other factors like personal and family history of mental health and psychiatric problems [58,59], local health service facilities [60], nutrition [61,62], religion [63,64], alcohol and drug use [65][66][67] may also influence mental health status and suicidal behaviours. However, the information on these variables was unavailable in this study.…”

Trends of Attempted Suicide in Albanian Children's and Adolescents

“…[26]. One study found that 43% of the subjects with alcohol dependency reported life-time suicide attempts [27]. The change of the communist system in Albania increased the suicide attempts in teenagers, due to gambling and high consume of alcohol and drugs.…”