[Suicide among alcoholics]

During the five year period 1987-1991, 377 deaths among alcoholics were examined at The University of Bergen, The Gade Institute, Department of Forensic Medicine. There were 70 cases where suicide was considered the mode of death. Male alcoholics dominated the material. Relatively few suicides were seen among the very young and the old. Intoxication was the most frequent cause of death. The accessibility to drugs among alcoholics is considered to be an important factor. Factors of use in predicting suicide are discussed.