PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Aims. To estimate the impact of co-morbid disorbers for suicidal ideas in alcohol-dependent subjects seeking treatment. Design. Life-time psychiatric co-morbidity and previous suicidal behaviours were assessed retrospectively after detoxification ( t 1). In addition, suicidal behaviours were assessed 12 months after discharge ( t 2) . Setting. An inpatient detoxification treatment unit. Participants. Two hundred and fifty dependent inpatients were studied after detoxification. One hundred and forty-nine of them participated in the follow-up face-to-face interview. Measurements. Using two extended standardized interviews (CIDI and IPDE) psychiatric co-morbidity (DSM-III-R, Axes I and II) was assessed at t 1; suicide attempts were reported at t 1 and t 2, and suicidal ideas were assessed at t 2. Findings. A history of suicide attempts was reported by 29.2% at t 1, and suicidal ideas by 14.1% and suicide attempts by 5.4% at the follow-up ( t 2). One female patient committed suicide within 6 months of discharge from hospital. The following co-morbidity patterns were associated with the greatest risk for suicidal ideas. Anxiety and depressive disorders, Axes I and II disorders, and a history of suicide attempt (for suicidal ideas at ( t 2). Conclusions. Our results underline the importance of psychiatric co-morbidity for the suicidal risk in alcohol-dependent patients, while alcoholism itself appears to be only a moderate risk factor.