The Association of Alcohol Use Disorders with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in a Population-Based Sample with Mood Symptoms

Abstract

Using population-based data, we examined associations between alcohol use disorders (AUD) and suicidality, assessing effect modification by mood disorders, and mediation by drinking level. Suicidality was assessed among current drinkers with 2-weeks of low mood (n = 9,173) in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Independent of mood disorder, alcohol dependence, was associated with suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25–2.14), and suicide attempts (AOR = 2.02; CI = 1.43–2.85) relative to those without AUD. Findings indicate partial mediation by consumption. Associations between AUD and suicidality among those with low mood are not explained by comorbid mood disorder, but are partially mediated by drinking level. Future studies should evaluate transitions in suicidality with change in consumption.

Keywords:

• alcohol dependence
• alcohol use disorders
• consumption
• mood disorders
• NESARC
• suicidal ideation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yoon-kyu Sung

Yoon-kyu Sung, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; and Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.

Lareina N. La Flair

Lareina N. La Flair, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.

Ramin Mojtabai

Ramin Mojtabai, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

Li-Ching Lee

Li-Ching Lee, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.

Stanislav Spivak

Stanislav Spivak, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

Rosa M. Crum

Rosa M. Crum, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; and Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.