Citation

O'Connell H, Lawlor BA. Ir. J. Med. Sci. 2005; 174(4): 51-54.

Affiliation

Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8. (hpoconnell@yahoo.ie)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, General Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16445162

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorders and suicidal behaviours are among the most prevalent and damaging of all psychiatric phenomena in Ireland and worldwide. Furthermore, alcohol use both chronic and acute has long been identified as a potent riskfactor for suicidal behaviour. AIMS: In this paper, the authors review the observational and experimental evidence for the acute neuropsychological effects of alcohol intake on suicidal ideation and behaviour. METHODS: A selective review of the literature was conducted, using the PubMed database. Search terms employed included 'alcohol', 'suicide', 'binge' and 'acute alcohol intake'. RESULTS: Cognitive mechanisms implicated include alcohol-induced deficits in attention-allocation, prospective cognition, autobiographical memory and disinhibition. Emotional mechanisms include alcohol-induced dysphoria, depression and aggression. CONCLUSIONS: This paper serves to highlight the importance of identifying and tackling acute alcohol intake and binge drinking as a risk factor for suicidal behaviour.