AbstractIntroduction: Suicide or deliberate self-harm is a common public health problem in day-to-day psychiatric practice. Aim: To study prevalence of attempted suicide in patients with the diagnosis of alcohol dependence/ abuse and to further explore the socio-demographic profile and clinical variables among the attempters and non-attempters. Study design: It was a hospital based cross sectional study done at tertiary care Institute where a total of 100 admitted cases of alcohol dependence/abusers as per DSM-IV TR were included. Results: The prevalence of suicidal attempt is common among males (91.2%) and among the alcoholics is 34%. Half of the alcoholic subjects belonged to 21– 30 yrs of age group and majorly who attempted suicide also belonged to the same age group. Majority of the attempters were Hindus, self employed, belonged to rural areas, and nuclear family. Out of the 34 subjects who attempted suicide, 18 subjects had suicide attempt in the past. The stressor/ significant life event was present in 29.4% of the suicidal attempters whereas Family history of suicide was present in 38.2% of the alcoholics with suicidal attempt. Among the subjects who had attempted suicide, 44.1% had planned While 55.9 % had an impulsive unplanned attempt. 76.4% of the attempted suicide was by poisoning. All the subjects who had attempted suicide anytime during their life had a definite intent for suicide. Among the psychiatric morbidities, depression was commonest and others were personality disorder and anxiety disorders. Conclusion: In study we concluded that, majority of the alcoholics who attempted suicide were young males, self-employed, Hindus, and belonged to a nuclear family. Significant life event and family history were the predictors of suicidal attempt in alcoholics and also majority of attempts were impulsive. Poisoning was commonest method and major depressive disorder was commonest psychiatric diagnosis among suicide attempters.

Keywords: Alcohol, Deliberate Self Harm, Suicide.