Preliminary analysis of low-level alcohol use and suicidality with children in the adolescent brain and cognitive development (ABCD) baseline cohort

Cross-sectional analyses were conducted in the baseline cohort of the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study to determine if lifetime low-level alcohol use was associated with an increased likelihood of lifetime suicidality (N=10,773, ages 9-10). Among the lifetime suicide ideation and attempt groups, 37.7% and 36.2% reported lifetime low-level alcohol use, respectively; versus 22.2% in the non-suicidality group. Children reporting lifetime alcohol use (i.e., ≥ a sip) showed a nearly two-fold increase in their odds of lifetime suicidality compared to those with no previous alcohol use. Future prospective research with this cohort will continue to probe alcohol-suicidality associations.

The Relationships Between Risk-Taking, Depression, and Alcohol Use in the Experience of Suicidal Ideation Among Adults in the General Population

Risk-taking is associated with suicide among depressed adolescents. In the United States, alcohol is among the most used substances resulting in need for treatment. While alcohol use relates to greater depression and suicidality, less is known about these relationships with risk-taking tendencies, particularly among adult populations. The current study examined suicidal ideation, alcohol use, depression, and risk-taking tendencies among adults 18-65 years old who participated in the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the specific aims in Mplus8. A total of 1,740 (21.4%) participants endorsed suicidal ideation. The model demonstrated good fit and findings indicate increases in alcohol abuse or dependence (b = 0.094, SE = 0.01, p < .001), depression (b = 0.036, SE = 0.01, p < .001), and risk-taking (b = 0.044, SE = 0.01, p < .001) all independently related to increased odds of ideation. Increases in alcohol abuse or dependence (b = 0.210, SE = 0.02, p < .001) and depression (b = 0.026, SE = 0.01, p < .05) also related to elevated risk-taking. Based on the joint significance test, risk-taking tendencies served as a partial mediator, functioning as a mechanism in the relationships between alcohol use, depression, and ideation. Risk-taking thus serves as an important treatment target in the prevention of suicide. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Alcohol consumption and suicide rate: A cross-sectional analysis in 183 countries

The age-standardized suicide rate and per capita alcohol consumption from 183 countries were acquired, and its relationship with per capita alcohol consumption was examined by the regression analysis. The positive associations between per capita alcohol consumption and the suicide rate were found among males and females in all income groups of countries. Compared with other environmental factors, controlling alcohol consumption has a distinct target and can be feasible and effective for reducing suicides. Health policy makers should keep in mind that alcohol consumption is costing lives not just by long-term physical ailments but also by making people vulnerable to suicide.