Relationship between alcohol consumption and attempted suicide morbidity rates in Perth, Western Australia, 1968-1984

Per adult (greater than or equal to 15 years) consumption of beer, wine, spirits, and absolute alcohol for a 17-year period (1968-1984) was related to the attempted suicide morbidity rates in the Perth urban area of Western Australia. For both males and females aged 15-39 years, Mann-Whitney U tests showed that during the years of highest spirits consumption, the highest rates for attempted suicide occurred. A similar finding also applied to 15-39-year-old males for wine. The effect of a rapidly rising blood alcohol level, together with a preselection factor as to the personal characteristics of persons who consumed the higher alcohol content drinks, may explain the results, which need to be confirmed by clinical studies of the type of alcoholic beverage consumed by persons prior to attempting suicide.