Skip to main content

Abstract

The literature relating morbidity and mortality to the abuse of alcohol is rather extensive. This literature has consistently revealed a higher incidence of illness and death among the substance-abusing group than is found among comparable populations.1–3 Additionally, these studies as well as a number of others have demonstrated suicide to be a cause of death which occurs at a far higher rate among alcoholics than is found among the general population.4,5 These studies focus primarily on the overt suicide, that is, those persons who have consciously and intentionally taken or attempted to take their lives by one means or another.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Pearl R: Alcohol and Longevity. New York, Kripf, 1926.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schmidt W, deLint J: Causes of death in alcoholics. Q J Stud Alcohol 33: 171–185, 1972.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sundby P: Alcoholism and Mortality. Oslo: Universitetsforcaget, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kessel N, Grossman G: Suicide in alcoholics. B J Med 2: 1671–1672, 1961.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hendin H: Attempted suicides: A psychiatric and statistical study. Psychiatr Q 24: 39–46, 1950.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Menninger KA: Man Against Himself. New York, Harcourt, Brace, 1938.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Cahalan D, Cisin 1H: Drinking behavior and drinking problems in the United States, in Kissin B, Begleiter H (eds): The Biology of Alcoholism, vol 4. New York, Plenum Press, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  8. East WN: On attempted suicide, with an analysis of 1,000 consecutive cases. J Ment Sci 59: 428–478, 1913.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Batchelor IRC: Alcoholism and attempted suicide. J Ment Sci 100: 451–461, 1954.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dahlgren KG: On death-rates and causes of death in alcohol addicts. Acta Psychiatr Neurol 26: 297, 1951.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Moore M: Alcoholism and attempted suicide. N Engl J Med 221: 691–693, 1939.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Palola EG, Dorpat TL, Larson WR: Alcoholism and suicidal behavior, in Pittman DJ, Snyder CR (eds): Society, Culture and Drinking Patterns. New York, John Wiley & Sons, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ross M: Suicide among physicians. Dis Nery Syst 34: 145–150, 1973.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Stenback A, Achté KA, Rimón RH: Physical disease, hypochondria, and alcohol addiction in suicides committed by mental hospital patients. Br J Psychiatry 111:933–937, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sullivan WC: The relation of alcoholism to suicide in England with special reference to recent statistics. J Ment Sci 46: 260–281, 1900.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Sullivan WC, Scholar S: Alcoholism and suicidal impulses. J Ment Sci 44: 259–269, 1898.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Yessler PG, Gibbs JJ, Becher HA: On the communication of suicidal ideas. II: Some medical considerations. Arch Gen Psychiatry 5: 12–29, 1961.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Nérvig J, Nielsen B: A follow-up study of 221 alcohol addicts in Denmark. QJ Stud Alcohol 17: 633–642, 1956.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Ciompi L, Eisert M: Mortalite et causes de décès chez les alcooliques. Soc Psychiatry 4: 159–168, 1969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Lemere F: What happens to alcoholics? Am J Psychiatry 109: 674–676, 1953.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ritson EB: Suicide among alcoholics. Br J Med Psycho! 41: 235–242, 1968.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Koller KM, Castanos JN: Attempted suicide and alcoholism. Med J Aust 13: 835–837, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Rushing WA: Suicide as possible consequence of alcoholism, in Rushing WA (ed): Deviant Behavior and Social Process. Chicago, Rand-McNally, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Rushing WA: Deviance, interpersonal relations and suicide. Human Relations 22: 61–76, 1969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. James JP: Blood alcohol levels following successful suicide. Q J Stud Alcohol 27: 23–29, 1966.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Attkisson CC: Suicide in San Francisco’s skid-row. Arch Gen Psychiatry 23: 149–157, 1970.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Goodwin DW: Alcohol in suicide and homicide. Q J Stud Alcohol 34: 144–156, 1973.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Murphy GE, Armstrong JW, Hermele SL, et al: Suicide and alcoholism: Interpersonal loss confirmed as predictor. Arch Gen Psychiatry 36: 65–69, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Tamerin JS, Mendelson JH: The psychodynamics of chronic inebriation: Observations of alcoholics during the process of drinking in an experimental group setting. Am J Psychiatry 125: 886–899, 1969.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Mayfield DG, Montgomery D: Alcoholism, alcohol intoxication, and suicide attempts. Arch Gen Psychiatry 27: 349–353, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Meerlo JAM: Hidden suicide, in Resnick HLP (ed): Suicidal Behaviors. Boston, Little, Brown & Co, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Seixas F, Williams K, Eggleston S (eds): Medical Consequences of Alcoholism. New York, Annuals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol 252, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Proudfoot AT, Park J: Alcohol and self-poisoning, in Edwards G, Grand M (eds): Alcoholism: New Knowledge and New Responses. Baltimore, University Park Press, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Pearson J: Alcohol and fatal traffic accidents. Med J Aust 2: 166–167, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Spain DM, Bradness VA, Eggston AA: Alcohol and violent death. JA MA 146: 334–335.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Goodwin DW, Crane JB, Guze SB: Alcoholic “blackouts”: A review and clinical study of 100 alcoholics. Am J Psychiatry 126: 191–198, 1969.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Morrison JR, Pendery M: Suicidal behavior during alcoholic blackouts. Q J Stud Alcohol 35: 657–659, 1974.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ryback RS: Self-mutilation during alcohol amnesia. Br J Psychiatry 118: 533–534, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. James JP, Scott-Orr DN, Crenow DH: Blood alcohol levels following attempted suicide. Q J Stud Alcohol 24: 14–22, 1963.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Rado S: Psychoanalysis of pharmacothymia. Psychoanal Q 2: 1–23, 1933.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Knight RP: Psychodynamics of chronic alcoholism. J Nery Ment Dis 86: 538–548, 1937.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Shilder PF: Psychogenesis of alcoholism. Q J Stud Alcohol 2: 12, 1941.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Chafetz ME: Addiction III: Alcoholism, in Comprehensive Text Book of Psychiatry. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins Company, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Murphy GE, Robins E: Social factors in suicide. JA MA, 199: 303–308 1967.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Witkin HA, Karp SA, Goodenough DR: Dependence in alcoholics. Q J Stud Alcohol 20: 493–504, 1959.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Witkin HA, Dyk RR, Faterson HF, Goodenough DR: A Psychological Differentiation. New York John Wiley & Sons, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Karp SA, Witkin HA, Goodenough DR: Alcoholism and psychological differentiation: Effect of alcohol on field dependence. J Abnorm Psycho 70: 262–265, 1965.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Karp SA, Kissin B, Hustmyer FE, Jr: Field dependence as a predictor of alcoholic therapy dropouts. J Nery Men: Dis 150: 77–83, 1970.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Karp SA, Poster DC, Goodman A: Differentiation in alcoholic women. J Pers 31: 386–393, 1963.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Kissin B: Theory and practice in the treatment of alcoholism, in Kissin B, Begleiter H (eds): The Biology of Alcoholism, vol 5. New York, Plenum Press, 1977.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  51. Kissin B: The use of psychoactive drugs in the long-term treatment of chronic alcoholics. Ann Acad Sci 252: 385–395, 1975.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Davis D, Berenson D, Steinglass P, Davis S: The adaptive consequences of drinking. Psychiatry 37: 209–215, 1974.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1982 Plenum Publishing Corporation

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Solomon, J. (1982). Alcoholism and Suicide. In: Solomon, J. (eds) Alcoholism and Clinical Psychiatry. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4028-7_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4028-7_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-4030-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-4028-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics