[Suicide attempts in alcohol dependents: clinical characteristics und differentiation of the applied methods]

Suicidal behavior is common in alcohol-dependent subjects. In terms of methods used, violent and non-violent suicide attempts can be distinguished. To confirm the validity of this distinction from a clinical point of view a sample of inpatient alcohol-dependent subjects is explored.

Subjects with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence according to DSM-IV and ICD-10 who took part in an inpatient withdrawal treatment program were included. Characteristics of alcohol dependence and suicidal behavior as well as lifetime diagnosis of other psychiatric disorders were assessed using the SSAGA. Clinical syndromes, personality and temperament were obtained by MMPI-2, TCI and NEO-FFI.

Of the 182 included patients, alcoholics with a history of suicide attempts reported more depressive pathology and a personality profile characterized by emotional instability, psychopathy and decreased self-control.

Distinguishing alcohol dependent suicide attempters according to methods used, no significant differences between violent and non-violent methods could be found. Therefore the clinical validity of this distinction could not be confirmed.