Citation

Wetterling T, Schneider B. Psychiatr. Prax. 2013; 40(5): 259-263.

Vernacular Title

Alkoholintoxikation und akute Suizidalität.

Affiliation

Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Vivantes Klinikum Hellersdorf, Berlin.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0032-1332987

PMID

23508776

Abstract

Objective: Although there is a rich literature showing that addictive disorders are important risk factors for suicide, corresponding studies on suicidal behavior are rare. This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of alcohol intoxication on suicidal behavior.Methods: Prospective study. All patients admitted to a psychiatric department providing the psychiatric services for a district of Berlin (250,000 inhabitants) within 15 month.Results: Within this period 184 persons were admitted after showing suicidal behaviour (n = 227 admissions). 54.3 % of them were alcohol intoxicated (BAC > 1 g/l). Apart from substance use disorders the most common diagnoses were adjustment disorders (41.0 %), followed by depressive disorders (27.3 %). 28.2 % committed a suicide attempt. All kinds of suicidal behaviour were accompanied by alcohol intoxication, particularly threatening of committing suicide. Persons admitted without alcohol ingestion frequently suffered from depression or schizophrenia.Conclusions: This study shows that persons showing the suicidal behaviour were frequently alcohol intoxicated.

Language: de