Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
05:12
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Alcohol and suicidal behavior in adolescents.
L Sher1, D Sperling, G Zalsman
1Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, NY, USA.
Minerva Pediatrica
|September 30, 2006
Summary
Adolescent suicide is a growing public health concern, with alcohol abuse and comorbid psychopathology being significant risk factors. Integrated treatment for alcohol use disorder and suicidality is crucial for affected adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Adolescent suicide is a leading cause of death among young adults, with rising rates over recent decades.
- Increasing alcohol abuse among adolescents is a key suspected contributor to this trend.
- The relationship between alcohol and adolescent suicide is complex, influenced by multiple factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of suicidal behavior in adolescents.
- To explore the intricate link between adolescent alcohol abuse and suicidal behavior.
- To highlight the need for integrated treatment approaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review encompassing epidemiology, pathophysiology, and risk factors.
- Analysis of contributing factors including alcohol abuse, comorbid psychopathology, and environmental influences.
- Examination of research on stress hormones, neurotransmitters, genetics, behavior, and gender differences.
Main Results:
- Adolescent suicide rates have increased, with alcohol abuse identified as a significant risk factor.
- Comorbid psychopathology in adolescent alcohol abusers substantially elevates suicide risk.
- Environmental factors like alcohol and gun availability at home may also increase risk.
Conclusions:
- Understanding adolescent suicidality requires considering psychological, neurobiological, and environmental factors.
- Integrated treatment protocols addressing both alcohol use disorder and suicidality are essential.
- Further research into the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about the way you...
01:28Depressants
Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...