ALCOHOL AND DRUGS IN SUICIDES

Background. Alcohol and drugs use were assessed in a nationwide one ye ar suicide study in Finland. Method. Alcohol and drugs use were analys ed in 1348 suicides. 96.5% of all suicides in the study year. Relative suicide risks for drugs were defined by relating the number of suicid es committed by use of various drugs to drug availability. Results. Al cohol was detected twice as often in men as in women; the opposite was the case with drugs. The drugs most commonly used for suicide were ne uroleptics and antidepressants, which were, in 74.3% and 77.4% of the cases, respectively, the victim's own prescribed drugs. Antidepressant s were found in 19.0% of women and only 4.8% of men. Relative suicide risk for antidepressants varied substantially between different compou nds. Conclusions. Undertreatment of depression is a challenge for suic ide prevention. Those who commit suicide by antidepressants use their own drugs. Relative suicide risk for a drug should be considered when choosing treatment for depressive patients.