Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
Published on: January 7, 2019
Binge drinking and the risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts
Cristie Glasheen1, Michael R Pemberton1, Rachel Lipari2
1RTI International (a trade name of Research Triangle Institute International), 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States.
Background:
Major depression is one of the strongest known risk factors for suicide. However, of the estimated 8.5 million adults with serious thoughts of suicide in the past year, only half had a major depressive episode (MDE). Identifying risk factors for suicide in the absence of depression may provide additional targets for prevention and intervention. This study uses nationally representative data to evaluate the association of binge drinking with suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts in adults with and without MDE.
Methods:
Combined 2008-2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data were analyzed. Sex-stratified prevalence estimates of past year suicide indicators were generated by past month binge drinking and past year MDE status. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of binge drinking with suicide indicators by sex with and without MDE.
Results:
Unadjusted prevalence estimates for suicide indicators in males and females were higher among binge drinkers than among nonbinge drinkers, regardless of MDE status. Regression analyses indicated that binge drinking was associated with suicidal thoughts (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.28-1.79), plans (aOR=1.75, CI=1.23-2.48), and attempts (aOR=2.57, CI=1.74-3.79) in females without MDE and with suicidal thoughts in males without MDE (aOR=1.25, CI=1.04-1.49). Among males and females with MDE, binge drinking was not associated with any of the suicide indicators (p>.05).
Conclusions:
Binge drinking in females without MDE may be an indicator for identifying at risk individuals for targeting suicide prevention activities.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Binge Eating Disorders
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Bulimia Nervosa
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

