A suicide peak after weekends and holidays in patients with alcohol dependence

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2003 Summer;33(2):186-91. doi: 10.1521/suli.33.2.186.22773.

Abstract

This paper analyzes the variation of suicide by day of the week in alcohol dependence, with public holidays taken into consideration. From 1949 through 1969, 1,312 patients with alcohol dependence were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in Lund. By 1997, a total of 102 (99 men) alcoholic patients had taken their own life. Suicide victims with severe depression and other diagnoses were compared. There was a suicide peak on the first two days after weekends and holidays in patients with alcohol dependence (p < .05). Alcohol withdrawal is proposed as a contributor to the suicide peak.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / mortality*
  • Cause of Death
  • Comorbidity
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / mortality
  • Ethanol / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Holidays*
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Periodicity*
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / complications
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / mortality
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sweden / epidemiology

Substances

  • Ethanol