Relation of Family History of Suicide to Suicide Attempts in Alcoholics

OBJECTIVE: This study was an examination of whether a family history of suicide is associated with attempts at suicide among alcoholics. METHOD: A consecutive series of 333 alcoholics were interviewed about whether or not they had ever attempted suicide and about their family history of suicide. RESULTS: Compared with alcoholics who had never attempted suicide, significantly more of the alcoholics who had attempted suicide reported that a first- or second-degree relative had committed suicide. CONCLUSIONS: A family history of suicide may indicate that an alcoholic has a higher risk of attempting suicide.