Alcohol Use Disorders in Males who have Survived a Suicidal Attempt- A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Alcohol use disorders could be a major risk factor for suicidal behaviour. Our study aimed to find out the proportion of adults with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in males who have survived a suicidal attempt and to find out the association of AUD and alcohol use-related factors with high suicidal intent. Methods: This cross-sectional study of 230 consecutive male inpatients of age 18-70 years admitted with non-fatal suicidal attempt in consultation liaison psychiatry used a specifically designed proforma to get the socio-demographic, suicide, and alcohol use-related variables. The suicide intent was assessed using Beck’s Suicide Intent scale. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to identify AUD. The severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) was used to assess the severity of AUD. Results: 43.9 % of adult males with non-fatal suicidal attempt had AUD, and 15.2% had high suicidal intent, 63 (62.4%) had used alcohol on the day of the attempt, and 40 (39.6%) of them used alcohol before the attempt to facilitate the suicidal attempt. Of the patients with moderate or low suicidal intent, 75 (38.5%) had AUD, and 26 (74.3%) with high suicidal intent had AUD, which was found to be significant. (chi-square = 15.46, p = 0.001). Severity of alcohol dependence had a significant association with high suicidal intent (chi-square=4.46, p=0.03). Logistic regression after adjusting for confounders showed that AUD [Odds ratio= 4.18 (1.78-9.79); p=0.001] and severity of AUD [Odds ratio= 3.33 (1.33-8.30); p=0.01] remained significant risk factors for adult suicide attempts. Conclusions: AUD was found to be significantly associated with high suicidal intent among adult males who have survived a suicidal attempt. Early recognition of risk factors for suicide, including alcohol use disorders and various alcohol use-related factors, helps in preventing suicides.