[Alcohol and suicide attempts]

Abstract

A large number of patients (30%) admitted to the Clinic of Acute Poisonings, Lódź, Poland, with suicidal drug poisoning have been found to act under the influence of alcohol. Sociological interview revealed that 6% of them were alcoholics and 3.8% reported to have repeated the suicidal attempt because of alcohol addiction. From the sociological point of view the female and adolescent (15-18 years old) family members are most vulnerable as they are frequently exposed to highly stressful conditions which may eventually result in their becoming addicted to alcohol as well.